HomeMy WebLinkAboutCitation Dismissal Ty Swanson Page 1 of 1
Lindy Swanson
From: Lindy Swanson
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2005 9:06 AM
To: jehristensen@eckbergiammers.com
Subject: Question /Concern on Citation Issued
Hello Josh, 1 have a situation here with a citation that was issued yesterday. Under normal conditions, if this
came across my desk I would be dismissing this citation, but, due to the fact that the person that was cited is my
nephew, I won't do that. Anyway, I'll try to be brief and explain the scenario. I would like your opinion and/or
recommendation on this and am not looking for favors because a relative is involved. My nephew was involved in
a fender bender yesterday in traffic as Stillwater Area High School was letting out. I must clarify that the chain of
events.that I shall describe all took place in a space of approx. 100 yards or less. My nephew, Ty Swanson, was
driving east bound in the left lane of 58 St.N. from Hwy. 5. While proceeding in traffic, the vehicle directly ahead
of him changed from the left traffic lane to the right traffic lane, then decided to switch back to the left traffic lane
and when doing so, observed a third vehicle up ahead stopped for pedestrians crossing 58 St. N. and had to
abruptly brake to avoid rear ending the stopped vehicle. Ty then could not stop in time, hit the rear of this vehicle
which then pushed the vehicle that had done the lane changing and abrupt braking into the vehicle that had
stopped for the pedestrian traffic. Officer Buckley is called to the scene and issues a citation to my nephew for
"following too close ". With the facts that I know on this matter I feel that this citation is not justified and am
concerned as to why the vehicle that had made two lane changes and abrupt braking in the space of 100 yards
wasn't cited for unsafe lane change or unsafe change of course. Ty is now left holding the bag on this and I don't
feel he was the responsible party on this.
I asked Officer Buckley what factors he used in determining that Ty should be issued a citation for following too
close and his reply was that he asked Ty if he saw a turn signal on, on the vehicle changing lanes and Ty said
that yes he did. I then asked Officer Buckley if it is OK for a motorist to make an unsafe lane change, cut the
vehicles being passed short and abruptly apply the brakes is OK as long as you put a turn signal on and he stood
wide eyed and couldn't give me an answer. If this had not occurred in such a short distance I could maybe
understand, but, the driver conduct of the lane changing vehicle changing lanes twice and having to brake 0
abruptly due to stopped traffic for pedestrians causes me concern. As i stated, normal circumstances and I would
have acted on this and dismissed the citation but, can't/won't with a relative being involved. On the other hand, I
don't want to see a person get a bum rap due to being my relative. Anyway, our case number on this is
105705030 and Ty's full name is Ty Bradley Swanson, DOB: 12/1711988. He is scheduled for arraignment on
91/12/2006 @ 9839: Please review this and let me know what you think. Thanks much,
12/9/2005