Aurora – Police Officer Doug Byrne made several key mistakes when he responded to a medical emergency last spring – errors that may have cost the officer his life.
That’s according to a police investigation into the death of 37-year-old Bryne, whose police cruiser rolled on East Sixth Avenue just blocks from the emergency scene March 25. He died a few hours later.
The man who was having a seizure, Sedrick Niblet, 25, also died.
According to the investigation, Bryne made several errors, including:
He did not have his emergency lights or siren on, which is required by police policy when responding to an emergency.
Byrne was traveling between 56 and 65 mph in a 40-mph zone.
The officer was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident.
Byrne passed a vehicle in his way on the right side of the road.
Dispatchers did not notify Byrne or the other responding officer that the Fire Department already was at Hoops Park treating Niblet.
“At the crucial moment, had he been wearing a seat belt and had his emergency equipment on, he may be alive today,” police spokesman Bob Friel said Friday.
Police have implemented several policy changes, including notifying officers as soon as possible if firefighters or police have arrived on a scene.
During training, the use of seat belts and sirens and emergency lights is emphasized.
According to the report, Bryne was heading east on Sixth Avenue when he tried to pass a car in his way from the right lane. That driver, noticing another officer in his rearview mirror who had her lights and siren on, moved to the right at the same time Byrne was trying to pass.
Byrne lost control, the report said, and overcorrected, causing his police cruiser to slide. He hit a planter in the median and rolled once. Bryne was ejected from the car.
It was not known whether Byrne detached his seat belt because he was close to the scene or whether he was ever wearing it.
Byrne’s father, Donald Byrne, said Friday that he was not aware of the report but said the events leading up to his son’s death are in the past.
“What happened, happened. You’re not going to change things,” he said. “The main thing we focus on is Doug was a brave, kindhearted man. He lived an honorable life. He was always there for his friends and he is greatly missed.
“He was a great guy.”
Staff writer Carlos Illescas can be reached at 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com.
