BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich., -- Months after a 48-year-old Hartford woman was hit by an officer while crossing the street, prosecutors have released dash camera video of the incident.
It happened on September 20th, as Benton Township Officer Eugene Anderson was rushing to respond to a domestic disturbance call. Kimberly Bedford, 48, was crossing Pipestone Road near Indiana Avenue when she was struck by the officer's cruiser. In the video, Officer Anderson is heard immediately calling for emergency services and back up to arrive at the scene.
After exiting the vehicle, the officer was unable to locate Bedford. For about 15 minutes, Officer Anderson questions where the woman is and asks witnesses what they saw. Bedford's shoe and purse are found, but a search of the immediate area came up empty. Eventually, Officer Anderson locates the woman's body in the backseat of his cruiser. It appears her body had flown over the vehicle after the impact, before crashing down through the back window.
Witnesses at the scene said Bedford admitted to being drunk and high, moments before the crash. Toxicology reports later showed she did have alcohol in her system, placing her above the legal limit for driving.
Investigators said Anderson had been going 65 in a 35 mile-per-hour zone. His lights and sirens were not activated. Anderson was later fired from his position.
He has since been convicted of a misdemeanor charge of "Moving Violation Causing Death".
Anderson is facing up to one year in jail when he is sentenced February 19.
