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SPECIAL CLAIM NO. SC-1314-8: A CLAIM IN THE REVISED AMOUNT OF $9,891.87 SUBMITTED BY JANET L. SYMPSON FOR DAMAGES TO HER VEHICLE AND CHARGES INCURRED DUE TO AN ACCIDENT WITH A POLICE VEHICLE NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF CLASSEN BOULEVARD AND LINDSEY STREET.
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BACKGROUND: A claim has been filed by Janet L. Sympson in the revised amount of $9,891.87 for damages to her vehicle and rental car expense due to a vehicle accident that occurred on October 5, 2013, when her vehicle was struck by a City of Norman police vehicle near the intersection of Classen Boulevard and Lindsey Street.
DISCUSSION: This incident was investigated by Lt. Jamie Shattuck and Chief Keith Humphrey. According to the investigation and the official accident report, both vehicles were traveling southbound on Classen Boulevard. The vehicles were approximately parallel with each other when Officer Paul Evans, driving the police vehicle, attempted to make a u-turn in order to make a traffic stop for a car that was northbound on Classen Boulevard. The left front of the City vehicle struck the right front of Ms. Sympson's vehicle.
Ms. Sympson's vehicle was a 2008 Ford Explorer 4x4 Sport Track pickup. She has provided invoices for repairs made to her vehicle in the total amount of $8,800.68. Additionally, she has supplied a rental car receipt in the amount of $1,091.19 for rental car expense during the time her vehicle was being repaired
As indicated above, there appears to be possible negligence on the part of the City in this matter and, consequently, potential liability on the City. The amount requested by Ms. Sympson appears to be reasonable
RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the above and foregoing, it is the recommendation of the City Attorney's Office that the claim by Janet L. Sympson for damages to her vehicle and rental car expense in the revised amount of $9,891.87, as above set forth, be approved.