Family of deceased Dallas police officer sues Hillary Clinton

The family of a Dallas Police Department motorcycle officer who died while escorting then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s motorcade in 2008 has sued Clinton individually, the Hillary Clinton for President Inc. Campaign, the city of Dallas and a motorcycle helmet manufacturer for damages. As alleged in the original petition in Theresa A. Lozada, et al. v. City of Dallas, et al., filed yesterday in the 298th District Court, Officer Victor A. Lozada -- a 20-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department -- was killed when he sped ahead of Clinton’s motorcade to block traffic and slammed into a concrete outcropping on the Houston Street viaduct near downtown Dallas. Among other things, the plaintiffs allege that Lozada, who had been trained as a motorcycle officer and had graduated shortly before being assigned to the motorcade, was not properly trained for an assignment as dangerous as the motorcade. The plaintiffs also allege that Clinton and her campaign "gave short and inadequate notice of the motorcade" and there was not enough time "to adequately prepare for the safety and well being of the officers including Officer Lozada.” The plaintiffs -- Lozada's survivors -- allege that the Super Seer helmet Lozada was wearing was defective because the chin strap holding his helmet on disengaged during the crash. David Schiller of Plano's The Schiller Firm, who represents the plaintiffs, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment. Neither did Dallas City Attorney Tom Perkins. A spokesperson for Super Seer says he is unaware of the suit. A spokesperson for the State Department refers a call for comment to Lyn Utrecht, a partner in Washington, D.C.’s Utrecht & Phillips who represents the Clinton campaign. Utrecht was out of town and did not immediately return a call.
-- John Council