February 2, 2000 -County settles suit with crash victim; Sheriff's patrol car ran red light; man suffered back injury

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County government officials have agreed to pay $100,000 to a former Marine who suffered a spinal injury after his car was struck by a sheriff's patrol car that ran a red light while responding to a call in September 1997.

The payment, which was approved by county supervisors yesterday, settles a civil lawsuit filed against the county by Ronald LeFlore, 25.

LeFlore had been working a second job as a pizza deliveryman the night of the accident. His back injury cut short his plans for a Marine Corps career and he received a medical discharge from the military, said LeFlore's attorney, David R. Miller.

Assistant County Counsel Diane Bardsley said sheriff's Deputy Ronald Halstead was responding to a call for assistance without his lights or siren on when he drove through a red light at a Vista intersection. Halstead braked and his car skidded into LeFlore's vehicle.

LeFlore suffered a disc bulge as a result of the crash, Bardsley said.

The county originally rejected a claim filed by LeFlore. But the Board of Supervisors agreed in closed session to settle the case because it involved "probable liability," and the settlement was for an amount far less than the damages being sought, Bardsley said.

LeFlore, who now lives in Georgia and works for a job-placement agency, recently learned he will not require surgery, Miller said. He still suffers from lower back pain.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Ron Reina said he could not say whether Halstead was disciplined as a result of the traffic accident because it was a personnel matter.

In spinal cord injury cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, review the medical procedures in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate the accident record and injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of spinal cord injury, call Law Offices of Kerner & Kerner, P.C. now at 212-964-1098 or CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A SIMPLE CASE FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if we agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

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