N.C. Supreme Court Rules Officer Not Responsible For Crash Injuries

The state Supreme Court has ruled that an officer who crashed into a pedestrian is not responsible for her injuries.

The wreck happened in September 2000 and the issue over the right to sue has been tied up in courts ever since.

Officer Joseph Kelly was speeding through a Durham neighborhood while answering a call when he hit Linda Jones.

Jones was crossing the street at the intersection of Liberty and Elizabeth streets.

The state Supreme Court ruled Kelly cannot be held responsible for Jones' injuries because he was heading to an emergency call to assist another officer.

Jones is permanently disabled because of the accident.

WRAL talked with Durham Assistant City Attorney Sherri Van Rosenthal, who said the city regrets when anyone gets injured, but there is a need for police officers to do their work without fear.

Justice Edward Brady doesn't agree with the ruling, saying the court went too far.