Police chief issues statement on officer-involved crash

The South Mississippi Sun Herald

March 25, 2008

Gulfport Police Chief Alan Weatherford this afternoon said he has spoken with the District Attorney's Office regarding an officer-involved crash and has asked the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation for an independent review.

His comments came in a written statement acknowledging his agency's initial response that Officer Bryan Watson caused the collision that injured 75-year-old Eleanor Mize and caused additional property damage late Thursday night.

'I want all the facts developed so that there is no question as to what happened and why it happened,' Weatherford wrote. 'We owe it to the citizens and more importantly to Ms. Mize and her family.'

Earlier today, Weatherford confirmed the injured woman's name and announced Watson was placed on an administrative leave of absence.

The crash occurred when the officer's southbound patrol car struck Mize's vehicle as she crossed the intersection at 17th Street. His patrol car then broke a telephone pole and struck a second car. The next day, police administrators said Watson ran a red light and was not using his blue flashing lights while responding to a call for backup.

The Sun Herald updates this story in Wednesday's editions.

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