[Mpls] Minneapolis pedestrian killed -- but no charges, no investigation?

[GarySimmbo]

I rode by the 38th and Nicollet where Janet Jones was killed shortly after the crash that took her life.  Her clothes were strewn along Nicollet Avenue for maybe 30 feet or more just south of the point of impact.  It looked like she was literally knocked right out of her boots, although I could not tell exactly what had happened.

Squad cars still had Nicollet blocked off. The ambulance was gone.  It looked like the van that had hit Janet Jones was parked askew further down the street.  From how the scene looked, the vehicle must have been moving fast.

I read in the newspaper that no charges were filed.  Why not?  How did the crash occur?  Were there witnesses?  Were they interviewed by police?  Did the police fully investigate to determine what happened and if charges are warranted?

I understand from our Community Crime Prevention specialist that CCP/Safe does not do anything with traffic because car crashes are not considered to be "preventable crimes."  That in itself is an interesting idea. Car crashes just happen, people walking along get killed, and this is not considered preventable or a crime.  Furthermore, it may not even be worth investigating.

>From what I understand, Janet Jones was a poor woman with no immediate family in town.  I understand also that there will be no investigation of the crash that took her life, and that no charges will be filed precisely because she was a solitary poor person.  I am still trying to discover if this is an accurate description of the victim, and if this is an accurate description of how the police handle investigations of such incidents.

I've been told that if the person who had been hit was a person of means or had family in town who pushed for explanations or answers, the police would investigate.  Otherwise the police simply drop the case and move on to more pressing concerns.

Does anyone on list know if the status of a victim in such a crash in fact does make a difference in how the police handle investigating the crash?

I am trying to find out about this. I do not know exactly how to research this, but hope to get a case number from my local precinct and try to discover more or better information over time.

The StarTrib report link is below:
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3481193.html 

I also note that one woman was killed and another injured when struck by a vehicle in Golden Valley.  The driver was released pending further investigation. Katherine Peterson, 51, lived in Minneapolis, and was out walking with a friend when she was killed.  She was walking with another Minneapolis woman who was injured. 

The StarTrib reported on this as well:

http://www.startribune.com/stories/467/3482486.html 

My concerns are as follows:

- When someone is killed in a car crash -- especially a pedestrian struck by a car -- that thorough investigation be done to determine how the crash occurred.

- The results of such investigations need to be published as well as the tiny de-contextualized reports that such an incident has occurred  When someone is killed by a bullet, the news media generally follows up.  Why not when someone is killed by a car?

- I am concerned that if there are human behaviours on the part of pedestrians or drivers that can be amended to prevent such tragedies we learn from these experiences.  I think we can bring about greater safety to people and property by learning from these tragedies.

- I believe it is the responsiblity of the police to investigate such incidents thoroughly, and of the media to investigate and do follow-up reporting as well.

- I am concerned about the possible social justice implications of the case of Janet Jones. Was she poor and without family?  If so, does that change the way police and/or media handle the story?

- It is "politically correct" -- and morally right, I think -- to investigate death inflicted with guns and bullets.  That is a big deal.  Is it "politically incorrect" to investigate death inflicted with guns and bullets?

As I ride my trike in Minneapolis, I see countless drivers preening in mirrors or talking on cell phones while driving (supposedly illegal?).

I appreciate comments from other list members:  pedestrians killed or injured...but no charges, no investigation, and only a brief, completely de-contextualized mention in the paper. Does this make any sense?

Still Pedaling for Peace in King Field -- Gary Hoover