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Police, Prosecutors Point Fingers In Botched Blood Draw
Judge Ruled Proper Procedures Not Followed
POSTED: 4:49 pm EDT September 2, 2010
UPDATED: 8:24 pm EDT September 2, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Police and the Marion County Prosecutor's Office are pointing fingers over Officer David Bisard's botched blood draw after last month's fatal crash.Bisard, a nine-year veteran, was on duty when he struck a group of motorcyclists stopped at a red light Aug. 6, killing Eric Wells, 30, and injuring Kurt Weekly, 44, and Mary Mills, 47.
Slideshow:
1 Killed, 2 Injured When Officer Hits Motorcycles
A blood draw taken at an occupational clinic nearly two hours after the crash showed Bisard had a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 percent, police said. But alcohol-related charges were dropped after a judge ruled that proper procedures weren't followed.The Fraternal Order of Police told 6News' Jack Rinehart on Thursday that the prosecutor's office failed to properly update fatal crash investigators on a recent change in state law making it mandatory for all blood draws to be taken at a hospital."If your question is were they sufficiently notified and informed prior to the Bisard tragedy, I would have to say no," said union President Sgt. William Owensby. "It appears there's been a lack of communication on the prosecutor's office portion of this."But Marion County Chief Trial Deputy David Wyser said police broke with longstanding protocol when they took Bisard to a clinic instead of to Wishard Memorial Hospital."There's been thousands and thousands of cases where that's occured, 600 last year. Not a single blood draw, not a single blood draw was done at a clinic, other than Officer Bisard," he said. "It certainly is something that jumps off the page on why protocol was not followed in this particular case ... The law may have changed, but not the protocol."Wyser also said he believes the issues with the blood draw would not have occurred had the prosecutor's office been notified and the on-call DUI prosecutor called to the scene, also part of longstanding fatal crash investigation protocol.Officers at the crash said previously that they took Bisard to the clinic instead of to a hospital in an effort to avoid an emotional scene with the victims' families.Indianapolis Public Safety Director Frank Straub has asked the FBI to look into the investigation surrounding the crash.Bisard is charged with reckless homicide and criminal recklessness and is suspended pending termination from the department.
Previous Stories:
- September 2, 2010: Embattled IMPD Officer Was 1st At Mass Slaying
- September 1, 2010: Ministers Appeal To Mayor To Fire Public Safety Director
- August 31, 2010: Another Motorcyclist Hit By Bisard To Sue
- August 31, 2010: Bisard Jail Video Raises Questions Of Special Treatment
- August 30, 2010: Demoted Officers Call On Mayor To Review Case
- August 30, 2010: Mayor Sends Handwritten Note To Wells Family
- August 28, 2010: Motorcyclists Downtown Issue Call For Justice
- August 27, 2010: FOP: Demoted Officer Should Be Reinstated
- August 27, 2010: Judge Weighs Bisard Change Of Venue Request
- August 26, 2010: Councilors, Candidate Call For Straub's Firing
- August 26, 2010: Suspended Officer: I Don't Deserve To Be Fired
- August 26, 2010: Ministers, City Leaders Meet In Wake Of Police Issues
- August 26, 2010: Some Voice Support For Indianapolis Police
- August 26, 2010: Store Ordered To Preserve Surveillance In Bisard Case
- August 25, 2010: Officers Warned To Stay Clear Of Tavern While On Duty
- August 25, 2010: Motorcyclists Want Officers Fired As Anger Grows
- August 24, 2010: Alcohol Testing Not Mandatory Within IMPD
- August 24, 2010: Safety Director Dismisses Calls For Resignation
- August 24, 2010: Family Of Crash Victim Appeals To Gov., Mayor
- August 24, 2010: Officer's Blood Draw Plagued With Problems
- August 21, 2010: 3 High-Ranking Officers Demoted In Bisard Flap
- August 20, 2010: Brother Of Comatose Victim In Bisard Crash: 'Thank You'
- August 20, 2010: Bikers Show Solidarity In Bisard Investigation Protest
- August 20, 2010: Officer In Fatal Crash Seeks Trial Venue Change
- August 20, 2010: Ministers Link Bisard, Johnson, Push For Meeting With Mayor
- August 20, 2010: Family Of Man Killed In Bisard Crash Claims Cover Up
- August 20, 2010: Ballard 'Past Angry' With Handling Of Bisard Case
- August 19, 2010: Alcohol Charges Dropped Against Officer In Fatal Crash
- August 18, 2010: Officer Violated Emergency Policy Before Fatal Crash
- August 14, 2010: Bikers, Baptists Rally To Send Message To City, Police
- August 13, 2010: Fatal DUI Charges Against Officer May Not Hold Up
- August 12, 2010: No Comment From Officer In DUI Fatality
- August 11, 2010: Officer Turns Himself In, Faces 7 Felonies In Fatal Crash
- August 11, 2010: Police: Officer Was Drunk When He Hit, Killed Motorcyclist
- August 6, 2010: Man Killed When Squad Car Strikes Motorcycles
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