Vancouver approves accident settlement

The Vancouver City Council on Monday authorized a $175,000 payout to a driver who was T-boned by a police officer responding to an emergency call last summer.

Vancouver resident Arthur B. Metzger, 80, suffered 10 broken ribs, facial cuts and a concussion in the crash, which occurred June 30 while Vancouver police Officer Keith Tyler was heading to the scene where a fellow police officer had just been shot.

The collision occurred in the intersection of state Highway 500 and Stapleton Road at just over 50 mph. Tyler’s patrol car, a Dodge Charger, struck Metzger’s Volkswagen Passat.

A Washington State Patrol investigation concluded that Tyler “failed to clear the intersection before he made sure all other drivers observed and correctly reacted to him prior to proceeding through (the intersection) safely,” according to city documents. Vancouver Police Department’s Professional Standards Unit also investigated, concurring that Tyler violated policy.

Metzger filed a tort claim, asking for $500,000 to settle the case, but later said he’d be willing to accept $175,000. According to city staff, by agreeing to the settlement, the city would have no further liability for Metzger’s injuries; it would resolve the claim at an “acceptable” amount; and it would avoid the uncertain outcome of a trial. The claim will be paid out of the city’s risk fund.