CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team did some digging to find out why taxpayers will get stuck for the repair bills after a crash of a police SUV carrying Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb.
We revealed on Friday that tax dollars will cover the cost of that damage. An initial estimate shows the cost could total $26,000 for parts and labor.
We’ve found tax money will pay the bill, since the city is self-insured.
The police officer’s personal insurance will not be involved, since he was on duty.
Earlier this month, an officer driving the mayor put on emergency lights and ended up in a crash going through a stop light.
The other driver did not get seriously hurt, but his company van was heavily damaged. The insurance company for that driver is expected to pay for that. But the company is expected to come after the city for reimbursement. So taxpayers may end up paying for that, too.
Witnesses at the scene have placed blame on the mayor’s driver.
He told an investigator at the scene, “So, pulled to the light… pulled up to the light. I cleared. I see a pedestrian getting ready to cross. He stops. As I get ready to proceed through the intersection the other vehicle was coming.”
The driver said he had been rushing the mayor to an emergency meeting. The mayor’s office said that involved top-level officials and a recent computer hack at City Hall.
While the mayor has said he takes “full responsibility” for what happened, the police officer could face discipline.
Ed Gallek
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