Woman sues over crash

A Spirit Lake woman is suing the city of Coeur d’Alene, saying a police car ran a red light and smashed into her car in December 2007, totaling her Honda Civic and injuring her.

Amanda Fleming, 19, says in the lawsuit filed Monday in 1st District Court that the police car driven by Coeur d’Alene police Officer Eric Johnson followed another police vehicle, which she yielded to because its lights were flashing. Johnson’s car, which followed shortly after, however, did not have its lights flashing, the lawsuit says.

Because the light was green, Fleming proceeded north on Ramsey Road into the intersection with Hanley Avenue and was hit by Johnson’s police car, the lawsuit says.

Coeur d’Alene City Attorney Mike Gridley said he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it directly. He had, however, seen a notice of tort claim sent on the case in June.

“I think there is a question in this case on whether Fleming should have yielded to a police vehicle,” Gridley said. “I think there’s a question on both sides as to who should have done what.”

Fleming’s attorney, Michael Kessinger, of Lewiston, said he doesn’t know why a police car would run a red light without flashing its lights or blaring its siren. He said there was space between the police cars, so Fleming had no indication Johnson’s car was in pursuit.

“There was no indication he was not going to abide by the rules of the road,” Kessinger said.

Kessinger said Fleming hurt her back and neck. Her 1997 Honda sustained $4,500 worth of damage. Fleming, a college student, is seeking payment for medical expenses, lost wages, damage to her car and attorney fees.