By Staff
LONG RECOVERY  Accident victim Shirley Logan spent two weeks in the hospital after this February 2000 collision. File photo.
Logan claims MPD officer caused collision
By Suzanne Monk/The Meridian Star
A Meridian woman who believes Meridian police officer Steven Early caused a traffic accident in which she was injured has filed a $1 million lawsuit in Lauderdale County Circuit Court.
Shirley Logan spent two weeks in the hospital following a collision Feb. 11 at the intersection of 20th Avenue and 18th Street.
Logan's lawsuit names Early and the city of Meridian and cites medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income and diminished quality of life. It was filed just days before her attorney, Joe Clay Hamilton, appeared before the city council to complain about what he called "corrupt" investigation work in an unrelated accident.
According to Logan's complaint, the collision occurred about 10 a.m. as Early was pursuing a van driven by Christopher Lewis McCoy. The van had "rolled through" a stop sign on 18th Avenue as McCoy turned right onto 14th Street, officers said.
Early pursued as McCoy turned right onto 20th Avenue, running another stop sign before striking Logan's car as it entered the intersection at 18th Street.
Logan characterizes the pursuit as a "high speed" chase through congested business and residential areas. Witnesses at the scene reported that the impact was so great the van was "airborne" before landing on its driver, who was also transported to a local hospital.
Acting Chief Benny DuBose stood by his officer Tuesday.
No disciplinary action was taken against Early, who has been a Meridian police officer since 1992.
On the advice of her attorneys, Logan declined to comment.
Hamilton and his associate, Will Parker, declined to comment on the following: 1) the nature and extent of Logan's injuries; 2) the expense incurred by her hospitalization; 3) how much of the $1 million dollars sought represents compensatory damages and how much punitive; and 4) whether other remedies were attempted prior to filing suit.
Suzanne Monk is managing editor of The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3229, or e-mail her at smonk@themeridianstar.com.