Fort Wayne, Indiana police officer Sgt. Joshua Hartup, who had a history of traffic offenses, has pleaded guilty to an infraction related to an incident in which his unmarked police vehicle struck and killed attorney Henry Najdeski. Hartup pleaded guilty to failing to yield to a pedestrian, causing bodily injury and was fined $35.50, having previously paid $139.50 in court costs. Despite the tragic outcome of the incident, Allen County Prosecutor Mike McAlexander recently announced that Hartup was not criminally liable for Najdeski’s death.
In response to the accident, Hartup immediately stopped his vehicle, provided aid to the pedestrian and called dispatch for medical assistance. As highlighted earlier, this occurrence is not the initial instance of Hartup's involvement in on-duty traffic-related events. This history encompasses disciplinary measures arising from four prior collisions.
While this outcome addresses the legal aspect of the incident, it raises concerns about officer accountability and whether appropriate disciplinary actions have been taken within the police department.
We will continue highlighting the need for accountability with police. Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Link: APNews
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