Jul. 14, 2004 - Federal judge clears Florence police in wrongful death suit

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A federal judge has ruled that Florence, AL, police are not responsible in the wrongful death case brought by the widow of a man who tried to flee and ended up drowning in Cypress Creek.

The judge granted the police department's request for a summary judgment, citing a lack of evidence proving any wrongdoing when officers tried to apprehend Ricky Edwards during an early morning chase on Oct. 2, 1999. Three autopsies concluded that foul play was not a factor in his death.

According to court documents, police officer Jacob Pugh tried to pull Edwards over for a traffic violation, but Edwards sped away to the Carver Heights neighborhood, where he abandoned his car and began running into a wooded area. Pugh followed him, until he heard a splashing sound and what sounded like someone trying to swim. Edwards' body was found nearly 12 hours later in 8 feet of water at Cypress Creek.

Joseph J. Bernardo, P.A. handles all types of Personal Injury cases including: Automobile Accidents, Spinal Cord Injuries, Traumatic Brain Injuries, Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death, Insurance Bad Faith, Nursing Home Abuse, Airplane Accidents, Dog Bites, Drunk Driving Injuries, Large Truck Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, School Bus Accidents, Slip and Fall Accidents.