WATCH: Police search for driver who hit patrol vehicle while responding to crash
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) - Independence Police continue to warn drivers of the importance of moving over for emergency vehicles as they continue to search for a driver who recently hit a patrol car.
The Independence, Missouri, Police Department says that just before 11 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10, as officers investigated a collision on I-70 near Noland Rd., a patrol vehicle was struck by a ing SUV.
Investigators noted that the driver did not obey the Missouri Move-Over Law. Fortunately, the officer was not injured in the collision. A video released by department leaders shows the driver take off one of the patrol vehicle’s mirrors.
While it may not always be fatal, Independence police said if drivers see emergency vehicles on the side of the road, they should move over.
Missouri’s Move-Over Law is as follows:
Upon approaching a stationary vehicle displaying lighted red or red and blue lights, or a stationary vehicle displaying lighted amber or amber and white lights, the driver of every motor vehicle shall:
(1) Proceed with caution and yield the right-of-way, if possible, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the stationary vehicle, if on a roadway having at least four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; or
(2) Proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be unsafe or impossible.”
Law enforcement officials indicated that the law requires drivers to move over if safe to do so as they approach emergency or Missouri Department of Transportation vehicles. The law is meant to provide a safer work environment for first responders. Violations can result in fines or imprisonment.
IPD also noted that the city also has an ordinance that pertains to moving over for emergency vehicles:
A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirement of this chapter, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible, to the edge or curb of the roadway nearest the lane in which the driver is traveling clear of any intersection and stop and remain in such position until the authorized emergency vehicle has ed, except when otherwise directed by a Police Officer.
B. Upon approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying lighted red or blue lights, the driver of every other vehicle shall: (1) Proceed with caution and yield the right-of-way, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic conditions, by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the stationary vehicle, if on a roadway having at least four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, or (2) proceed with caution and reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if changing lanes would be unsafe or impossible.
Investigators said they are still working to identify the driver of the vehicle, which is believed to be a Chevrolet Equinox. Anyone with information about the incident should report it to the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.
No further information has been released.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
