Fatal LAPD crash raises questions

I had a feeling she might have been a doper. I bet she relapsed.

get a clue dude mr. wow. she was helping others, she took my yoga class each week. she was a wonderful individual who was killed in an accident. you need to find some compassion.

Hey Wow, if you have nothing nice to say, don't waste your time saying anything at all. It's completely unnecessary, thoughtless, and cruel. You didn't know Devin and have no business making any kind of judgement call or opinion of her whatsoever. I would hope you have something better to do with your time.

Who are you mr. "Wow". Do you troll sites like this and make perverse comments? Clearly you don't know ANYTHING that you are speaking about. Let her family and friends mourn and keep your uninformed opinions to yourself. You wouldn't happen to be a cop would you?

Furthermore, Wow, your comment shows a complete lack of compassion for your fellow man, your ignorance of substance abuse and recovery, and a lack of constructive thinking skills in general. Your assumption that Devin must have relapsed because she was involved in an accident that wasn't even her fault is misguided and just stupid. Even if she did relapse, which she DID NOT, it wouldn't justify the irresponsible actions of the police officers that killed her. I imagine you were born with a brain. Try using it.

Thank you KBCC, for sharing the witness accounts of what happened, which were far different than what had been reported on other news sites. (IE that Devin ran a red light when in reality there is no light at that intersection, that she struck the police cruiser when it was clear she was the one who was struck and adding in the detail of the officer's not using a siren if indeed they were responding to a call...) This terrible tragedy has shaken up many people who live in the area of the accident and it's very easy to believe it could have been any one of us in the car the officer struck.

Correction, KPCC. My apologies for typing KBCC.

CBS2 Kent Shocknik reported this story grossly inaccurate. I had not known the local news doesnt Vet out their stories prior to broadcasting them. I wrote in a complaint to the newsroom and sadly, they have not responded with even an ounce of interest in rectification or to provide even a generic pr response. I guess they must have gotten a slew of complaints, and now know of their inaccurate accounting of the accident. It is funny too, how so many of the witnesses stories match and the ones who are slamming the witnesses and wrting deragotory comments, sound frustrated because they were not there and cant constructively rebut the accounts of witnesses. Id say the LAPD has their work cut out for them on this one. CBS2 beware your sources and do the right thing, retract your story with an update from witnesses accounts!

I live right at this intersection and heard the crash. I went outside immediately and saw the damage. I personally spoke to the 2 eyewitnesses that were already at the scene both said that the driver of the BMW was not at fault as the police cruiser was barreling along Venice Blvd with NO sirens or flashing lights. They both stated that the driver was attempting to make a legal right turn when the cruiser struck her car at very high speed. The initial police statement, posted on the SCPR (Southern California Public Radio) website came from Lt. Paula Kreefft, indicated that the police car in question was not, I repeat NOT on a call or in high speed pursuit. 12 to 15 other police cars swarmed the scene in the next 2 to 3 minutes while it took about 15 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. Shortly thereafter a couple of undercover, black Dodge Charger detective cars arrived on the scene. After about an hour of questioning witnesses police began to become agitated with the amount of on-lookers and asked people to return to their homes. I and another person (who was an eyewitness) asked the officer why we were being asked to leave the scene as we felt we had a right as concerned citizens to be there. He became angry with us and asked why we were 'pushing'. We moved off of the sidewalk onto private property and stated that we were now on private property and nowhere near the accident. He stated that he would send his Superior Officer to deal with us. We continued to observe the scene. We were soon approached by that Superior Officer, who told us that we were "interfering with a CRIME SCENE!" and he would have us arrested if we did not leave the area immediately. I returned to my apartment but continued to carefully observe the scene from my front balcony until about 4am. At 2:08am I saw police entering the vehicle without wearing rubber gloves then stepping back from the car and taking pictures. However, the official police photographer had already taken about 3 or 4 dozen pictures and had left the ‘crime’ scene. I wondered why uniformed officers (and not detectives or crime scene investigators) were handling or interacting with what had now become evidence of a "crime scene" as I had been told when I was threatened with arrest.

Since we can only fit 3000 characters per post please see next posting for more...

The KCAL local website soon after (at around 5 am) posted a written report and video report that claims the police WERE responding to a call and that the driver of the BMW RAN A RED LIGHT and slammed into the police cruiser. In the video report that is posted next to the text you can see in one video clip that the roof flashing lights of the police cruiser involved in the accident are on and in another of the video clips towards the end of the report they are turned off. As a witness on the scene I can report unequivocally that when I arrived on the scene literally seconds after the crash, the roof lights WERE NOT ON. Why, if this was a "crime scene" were things not left exactly as they were found on the scene by the arriving police? Follow this link to see that report:

http://cbs2.com/local/Crash.LAPD.Car.2.1252206.html

KCAL/CBS would be wise do do some digging on this story and consider an addendum or complete retraction of their initial story, if they are at all concerned with journalistic integrity... we'll see...

What do you say KCAL/CBS? Think about it...

Some of the video clips you (apparently) hastily edited together show some odd contrasts... more to come...

So now, to address some of these points:

First of all THERE IS NO TRAFFIC LIGHT AT THIS INTERSECTION!! NONE!!

Second, the damage to the BMW was all squarely on the drivers side, not on the front. If she had hit them surely the damage would have been in the front of her car. Clearly her car was struck at VERY high speed by the police car.

Third, this report completely contradicts what the witnesses saw - why is there no mention of witnesses or witness statements in any of the meager reporting on this accident.

I am shocked by the obvious efforts of the police to control this scene to the advantage of their fellow officer, with apparently little regard for the dying woman. This is the story that should be reported by the press. I am sick & tired of the so-called mainstream media working in tandem with the police, politicians, and other authority figures while ignoring the truth. What happened to real journalism? Does no one have any guts anymore?

This in response to "WOW" on top...
Why is is that She has to be a doper and then you have to write stupid ignorant crap like "I bet she relapsed"? You insensitive A-hole!!!
#1 she was sober #2 Did it ever occur to you that she was a young woman and regardless of whatever happened did not deserve to die let alone have a retard like you post some idiotic comment like this?

I'm really grateful to Christopher for helping put this story in perspective, and certainly grateful to KPCC for covering it. It's clear the LAPD were in violation of a rule that had been in place after Gates left. It was a policy during the Gates tenure that pursuits without lights or sirens was okay. But after repeated tragedies such as this, it was abandoned during Bratton's tenure. The reason there was no representative for this report was because the LAPD are desperate to put spin on this.

As for the CBS2 and KCAL reports - they are owned by the same company, so it would come as no surprise their stories are the same. Sadly Sally, there is no responsible journalism in the mainstream anymore. It is gone.

But the real tragedy here is the loss of a young, vibrant, committed young woman who was loved, admired and respected by everyone who met her. That she is not here today and will never be replaced is a loss no accusation and no amount of settlement will ever satisfy. The only hope is some future Devin will be spared the senseless disregard of human actions.

To those who chose to write a negative comment, I may suggest that "let he who is without sin cast the first stone" and how is it that you can sit in judgement? Please remember, if you chose to point a finger of blame...there are 3 fingers pointing back at you. Really is that the way you choose to live your life? I did not know this person, I love her...she is my sister, we are all one family.

Next time your on the road watch out for LAPD NOT wearing their seatbelts and yapping on their cell phones. Apparently these laws do not apply to them.
I will say that I've seen more CHP wearing their belts than not.

This is so sad, it is something that makes me feel that although we have come a long way with the law, that we really aren't protected from abuse by the government or officials that frequently abuse their "power trips". My thoughts and prayers go out to the woman who lost her life and those who loved her.

Where's the dash cam? No dash cam, then there were no lights and sirens. Dash cams automatically start when the driver of a police cruiser switches on the emergency lights or siren.

Doper? Relapse? why not toss in a word like perpetrator as well? Obviously only someone from the LA Pig Department would say such crap.

I hope the family has enough money to get some crazy hound dog lawyer to sue all these pigs for covering up for their fraternity.

I know it won't bring back their angel, but sometimes angels shine a light for others to see the corruption and cut it out of the system before more people get hurt by those we pay to "serve and protect".

The police and the news are not to be trusted. Speaking from personal experience. When my mother was killed in a robbery, the news "reporters" threatened my family that if we didn't grant an interview, while we were in shock and mourning, that they would print their story anyway. If we granted an interview, that we would have a voice. WHAT A JOKE. They came to the interview with a story and just went through the motions of an interview. They really don't need to interview people b/c they write whatever they want. Nothing to do with accuracy or truth. "Sound bites." Their sound.

Are the people who go into that line of work power hungry and abusive and that's why they choose that job or do they become that way? Tough call...

Devin, rest in peace. So sorry for your family's and friends' pain and your loss of a promising, beautiful life. Prayer for you and yours.

I was on of the 'dopers' whom Devin helped to get my life back on track.
So WOW... your an ass hole who comments on this site about a beautiful and amazingly talented 25 year old woman whom just was killed because of some other ass hole cop ... go f*%k yourself.
Do you know how disturbing it is t read an article about Devin and to scroll down and see that comment. I surely didn't think a human could be that messed up. You are evil, I hope you know that.

I love you Devin and i am going to miss you, I know you are in Heaven where you were always supposed to be. You helped me in so many ways. Thank you for being you.
You are an angel.

Two words: Toxicology report...

I shot the news video of this incident and arrived 20 minutes after the original call. Email me if you want my comments - austin@raishbrook.com.

Police detective Jesse Ravega's phone number has been shut-off, disconnected, or is no longer in service according to Verizon. Is there another number available to reach Detective Ravega?

Austin, I believe the family of Devin might be trying to get into contact with you. There are fliers in my apartment building (located near the accident) regarding trying to find a videographer who was on the scene the night of the accident. I do not have their contact information on hand as I'm at work, but I'll email it to you later.

Bitter truth - it came back clean.

To "WOW"...
Nice judgement. What the hell do you know? This was a wonderful person, who at a young age got on the right track, and shared her experience, strength and hope with others. Word of this tragedy spread quickly through a network of people who knew her, knew her family, and for you to simply write her off with a quick judgement... well. I suggest you take a hard look at what kind of human being you think yourself to be.

Think twice before you say such a thing, when there are people, a mother, a father, aunts, uncles, siblings... Dig deep and find an ounce of empathy.

Ummmm.....I guess the tendency after a tragedy such as this is to disconnect our fear, grief and loss for the victims and their families (and yes, this is to include the police officers involved in this horrible accident) and put it into anger towards someone who wrote a disparaging comment. This person who has the unmitigated balls to sign "Wow" as their name, does this person really necessitate or require ANY commentary whatsoever? I think not.

I suspect that at least three individuals who woke up on that fateful Thursday morning would not have imagined that they would be involved in a fatal car accident later that evening. One of these individuals unfortunately will never be able to reflect on the events of this adversity and for this alone, we as friends, family and community share our heartfelt sympathy. God rest your soul.

Whatever the "Right Thing" in this situation is, I do not know, but I pray and trust that it will be realized.

To those who keep saying "toxicology report" and relapse and she was probably on her cell phone, these things in themselves do not presume fault. There is case law that demonstrates this point exactly. For example, an intoxicated individual won a roll over case against a certain auto manufacturer. The reason, but for the design flaw, he would not have rolled over. I highly doubt the victim was intoxicated or speaking on her cell phone at the turn. Even if the latter is true, it does not seem to be the cause of the accident. Based on the circumstantial evidence that I gather; but for the police officers unsafe speed coupled with the lack of emergency signals, the accident would not have occurred.

Think of this...What if a driver is drunk and they are driving within their lane at an appropriate speed. At the same time, the sober driver of another car heading the opposite direction swerves into the drunk driver's lane because they were changing the radio station, and thus not looking at the road. But for the person swerving the accident would not have happen.

Intoxication is not a presumption of cause to an accident, just a factor to consider.

really WOW is so disgusting I am physically ill...

I bet the cops were drunk~!! I was in rehab with a cop in 82...@ Beverly Glen Hospital... they are not perfect or unscathed by Alcoholism.

I am soooooooo sad over this tragic death and waste and just pray for the hearts of her family ...this is not okay~!! Bad things happen to good people...

And WOW you got some awful brain and NO HEART~!!! call a doctor~! Your Karma scares me..

If you pull out into traffic and get hit by a car, isnt that your fault, regardless of how fast traffic is moving?

A post mortem and toxicology report will probably shed light onto whether or not the deceased was intoxicated or using. A comprehensive test usually takes 1-2 months to get the results and this will most certainly be done. other factors come into play whether or not she was just tired from work and may not have been paying attention.

Found another article in LA Times
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/westside/index.html

I think you all should know that Devin saved 4 peoples lives by donating her organs.
What if that was one of your family members? Or a child! This proves the kind of person she was.
Please stop trying to figure out who is at fault here and let Devin have some peace and her family!! She doesn't deserve this!

This was an accident. And easily avoidable accident. Who ever thinks that the police officers involved in this dont already feel lower than dirt, is off their rocker. Police officers are people as much as anyone else, and mistakes are made, and can be fatal. Fault is not the problem here. These men will never forget this night. Punishment and fault are irrelavent.

whatever, blue knight...sounds to me like you're the cop that was driving. If this was an accident, it was an accident and that is extremely tragic for both parties. BUT - if these f---ing cops were in fact NOT answering a call (which would prove to be true, considering the FACT that there would be a dashcam video if the lights/sirens had been turned on, as they claim they were) then they will get what's coming to them. And the whole "no gloves" comment from the neighbor witness, and the 15 minute response time? I mean, c'mon. It takes 2-3 minutes for a swarm of cop cars and 15!!!!! minutes for paramedics?!?! Sounds like a cover-up to me. I just hope for Devin's family's sake, that the guilty party gets what they deserve.

To all claiming there is some sort of coverup ... First of all, Pacific Division does not have dashboard cameras yet (the LA Times ran an article a few weeks ago saying the whole department is getting them next year and right now only the south bureau has them), so to say there would be footage of the incident if they had their lights and sirens on just shows your ignorance. Secondly, the fact that it may have taken 15 minutes for an ambulance to show up is not the fault of the police and actually has nothing at all to do with them. Trust me, the second it is broadcast over the radio that an officer has been in an accident like that (which happens from the officer to let the others know it happened, so trust me, it happened), the dispatcher sends the call to the fire department. It isn't the LAPD not bringing in rescue personnel for some sinister reason. And I still fail to see what gloves has to do with anything. Was there any evidence that an officer should not have had their fingerprints on? No, there was no need for gloves. And just because one poster said they estimated the speed of the black and white to be 50-70 mph doesn't mean that was the speed. Trust me, a vehicle traveling at 40 mph that collides with a stationary object will obliterate that object, so just because there was a lot of damage to the car doesn't mean the police were doing nearly double the speed limit. Please don't throw out frivolous "points" in order to shine the police in a bad light.

It is an incredibly tragic situation. A young woman lost her life and her family must be torn apart. All of the posters claiming she must have been drunk, etc. are awful people for saying such things at this time. There is no reason to say that. But on the flip side, there is also no reason to bash the police right now. Until a full report comes out (and it will), we need to not rush to judgement either way. I agree with Blue knight - the police probably feel terrible right now, whether or not it was their fault. To those who think they don't, you lead a very unfortunate life if that is your perspective. Shame on you.

One more thing about a "coverup"... the LAPD does not fight for its officers, at least not anymore. Unless the officers in the car were actually captains or higher rank, the department will lay them out, even if it isn't their fault. It's the way the department works. Something looks bad in the media, even if it is within law/policy, and they try to punish the officers. So don't worry, there is no coverup, except if they eventually wrongfully terminate the officers and then try to hide why they actually did.

My condolences to the family.

Even though it will not bring her back, I hope the officers are tried and convicted for taking the life of a wonderful young woman.... but I'm sure the good ol' boys got it fixed up so the investigation will contradict all unbiased witnesses. LA cops are scum. I actually know more about it than most, and it makes me sad that this crime will go unpunished.

What can you do now ?

Help us end The Illegal practice by the LAPD of "Silent Running" Racing at high Speed along the Venice Corridor with out Sirens Emergency Lights or HEAD LIGHTS.

Call on any council or city members you may know. We are a hugely connected group of men and women I am asking for help as neither the police nor the Press seem to care.

The only forth coming inquiry has been simply through one reporter on Kpcc willing to write openly an unbiased account of the truth. Not a word from the Venice LAPD Precinct

Oh I did receive this in a Facebook message!
"The officer investigating the case is Det. Jesse Ravega at 323-XXX-XXXX. He is urging witnesses to contact him to share what they know."
What !
Not one word of "we are so sorry for your loss how can we be there for you" . Just give us your witnesses!
Really !!! So you can continue intimidating them as you did that night

No wonder there is so much acrimony between the public and the police. I personally have worked with your Officers as a 1st AD Filming for the last 30 yrs on the our streets. I respect and honor closely those men and women. But who are you i dont know you I want to respect you , I want to trust you but tell me how can i How can we.

So i ask any one who can or will help keep this tragedy in full public view so the world knows Devin was not at fault as was stated by a female officer at a Venice council meeting last week . She was not drunk ( she was an active proud sober member of AA and a drug an alcohol councilor at Clearview Foundation ). She did she not go thru a red light ( one does not exist on that corner) ! Nor did she blow a stop sign. She obeyed the law and the Law ........ YOU FILL IN THE BLANKS

Why.... how can this happen She could have been your Wife your Daughter -

SIlent Running must be brought to trial and all who use it, condone it, turn a blind eye to it.

We who loved her promise never to lay quietly or sheepishly silent and tow your blue line -

Protect and serve us as your swore

Christopher Medak

PS I want to know of the nature of the police officers Toxicology since they were admitted for treatment there must be records - Because who else runs at Freeway speed on our city streets ! Reports have been heard that they were over 60 -80 mph no siren no emergency lights and insanely no HEAD LIGHTS !

one of the residents said that the police were over 80 without a siren.

Struggling with alcoholism? Sounds like she might have had a few that night.

dam coppers

MR / Mr WOW - must have been on the balloon~ how dare you talk this way

Dear Wow & Bitter Truth,

How about we trade you two losers and get Devin back? Your lack of compassion & humanity is disgusting. Now, go enjoy those pathetic little lives of yours (while you can) because I'm quite sure that with karma as bad as yours, something horrific will befall you soon enough in some form or another...and I bet nobody will give a crap.

Cheers.

I am a NYC-based magazine reporter. A friend of Devin's family alerted me to the story - and the practice of 'Silent Running' and/or drag racing by the LAPD. I'm trying to find out more information about this. If anyone might have some, please contact me at tstruby@gmail.com.

thanks

tim

Wasn't Silent Running a bad movie? Sounds like a shyster lawyer is trying to muddy up the waters for his civil suit pay out. Typical and disturbing.

I used to live around the area for almost 10 years and the LAPD patrol cars used to speed like crazy late night on Venice Blvd, and some patrol cars had no headlights on or the siren on.

R.I.P. Devin Petelski - justice will be served and I hope those cops will be suspended and kicked out from the LAPD

You ALL have not a concept of the wrath that the loss of Devon's life and love on earth have in store for you... Listen clearly, DO NOT attempt to deceive, as you wil NOT succeed. Trust me. The truth WILL be told.

Keep fooling yourselves. It was an accident. Don't be such money grubbers.

Accident...? TRUTH will be told... PLEASE STAND BY!

Sorry for this tragedy but the driver is responsible to assure a roadway is clear before entering. If a bus blocked her view she should have waited until she could see. 15" is not an unusual response time. I'm sure you and yours are deeply upset but try not to blame people who are not at fault.

The reason we have speed limit laws is because driving too fast is dangerous. When backing out of one's driveway or edgeing out of a side street a driver has a reasonable expectation that no oncoming car would be coming at them at 60 or 70 miles an hour. With regard to police and fire vehicles, this is why we have lights and sirens. I didn't know this woman and have an objective viewpoint, but to say she must have been on drugs or to say something about a 15 inch repsonse time (whatever that is) is to miss the point that because the police were speeding at night without lights and siren an innocent girl is dead and surely her friends and family are too sad for words. If it is too early in the investigation to assign blame, then it is surely tooo early too assign blame to her,

Hello all,

I live very close by to the accident site. I live on walnut st. and I have seen a police cruiser speed down venice blvd with no lights or sirens on at least one instance since living here (4 months ). I stopped by the tree where her vigil is and I read the article in disbelief. This is so tragic. My heart goes out to her friends and family.