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Woman Hit By Police Motorcycle Still In Hospital

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By GEORGE WILKENS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 24, 2008

PLANT CITY - One of four people injured last week when a Plant City police motorcycle crashed into spectators during a demonstration is still hospitalized.

Pam Knight and Lynn Connor were in the bleachers during a Nov. 18 motorcycle demonstration for the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce when Officer Chad Rader lost control of his motorcycle and it slid into spectators.

Connor remained in fair condition at South Florida Baptist Hospital today. Knight was released two days after the accident.

The accident also injured Police Chief Bill McDaniel and Rader. They were not hospitalized.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office will not investigate the incident because there is no longer an accident scene to investigate, said department spokeswoman Debbie Carter.

The Florida Highway Patrol also does not usually investigate accidents after everyone has left the scene, said FHP spokesman Sgt. Steve Gaskins.

The investigation may be left to Plant City police.

"It's not uncommon for agencies to investigate their own accidents," Carter said.

The accident occurred during a demonstration for Leadership Plant City, an annual chamber of commerce program launched in 1983 to enhance members' familiarity with Plant City. One segment of the eight-month program includes a tour of the police department and demonstrations of its motorcycle and K-9 units.

Rader's motorcycle was the only one in use at the time and was headed toward the bleachers just before a demonstration of radar and laser devices that clock speed, Wilson said.

Rader lost control of the motorcycle. As it slid on the ground, the 800-pound Harley-Davidson grazed the chief and slammed into the women.

Rader suffered "minor road rash," said police Capt. Darrell Wilson.

Wilson would not speculate on the cause of the crash.

"I think he did everything he could, that he was taught, to prevent more serious accident or more serious injury," Wilson said.

Rader has been with the department since 2000 and became a member of the motorcycle unit in 2004.

Reporter Neil Johnson contributed to this report. George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 865-4433.

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