Editor’s Note: Reports from the time of the crash stated that Officer Kevin Bereta fell 50-60 feet during the incident. KOMO stated that the lawsuit alleges he fell 30 feet.
.
By Joanna Putman
Police1
BELLEVUE, Wash. — A Bellevue police officer has filed a lawsuit against the state of Washington following a severe motorcycle crash while on duty in August 2023, KOMO reported.
Officer Kevin Bereta, who was escorting Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade, collided with a guardrail on an overpass and fell 30 feet onto Interstate 5 below, sustaining catastrophic injuries, according to the report.
The lawsuit claims the state was aware of the safety hazards posed by the 27-inch tall railing and had determined over a decade ago that a 42-inch barrier was necessary to make overpasses safer for motorcyclists. It further alleges that the state was aware of similar incidents at the specific overpass where Bereta’s crash occurred.
Bereta’s injuries kept him out of work for more than a year and are reportedly permanent. While he recently returned to light-duty work, he continues to face significant challenges, according to the report.
“I defied death,” Bereta told KOMO News on Sept. 6 after he returned to “light-work duty” the week before.
St. Paul officers found the man, who has been charged in the fatal shooting of a woman and her unborn child, armed and riding a bicycle before the incident occurred
Flock Safety redefines mobile situational awareness offering law enforcement infrastructure-free solutions for crime hotspots, special events and beyond
Columbus Officer Gloria West, who has been with the department for about a year, ran toward the flames to rescue the man
The Anchorage PD’s review recommended using more “team” responses, outfitting officers with more effective less-lethal weapons and increasing the use of drones
