Sep 29, 2008 7:11 pm US/Eastern
Orange County Teen Struck And Killed By Cop
Montgomery Police Promise 'Fair And Impartial' Probe
MONTGOMERY, N.Y. (CBS) ―
An Orange County teenager was struck and killed by a police officer who was responding to a call on Sunday night. It happened at Neelytown Road and Route 208 in Montgomery.
While her family is in mourning, they're also demanding answers.
People who knew and loved Tiffany Weddle are traumatized by her sudden – and violent -- death.
"She was a very, very beautiful young lady," the victim's uncle, Dal Dallas, said. "And were gonna embrace her spirit the best we can."
Route 208 in Montgomery was slick with rain Sunday night as 19-year-old Tiffany walked to buy a soda at the gas station across from her home.
Just steps from the safety of the shoulder, she was struck by this unmarked police car from neighboring Maybrook. She hit the windshield and was thrown more than 20 feet.
Tiffany's mother looked out a window when she heard the commotion. She walked outside to look at the scene, only to realize to her horror the lifeless body on the street was her daughter.
"The officer that did hit her was still standing right there," friend Fred Eiseman said.
Eiseman dates Tiffany's mother and said the family has many questions about what happened. They want to know how fast Maybrook P.D. Officer John Bennett was driving, and whether it was it too fast for the wet conditions.
Investigators said Bennett was heading to check out a report of a large fight at a private home. Locals said police often drive fast on busy Route 208.
"Police have to slow down coming through here," resident Vince Mangione said. "They're really going too fast, too fast for the conditions that exist here now."
The cop behind the wheel wasn't physically injured, but he was so traumatized he was taken to the hospital with breathing difficulties.
Police in Montgomery are promising a "fair and impartial" investigation into the crash.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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