Terry Curry:
I am writing this letter in response to the February 16th accident that ended in the death of Private Tim McCormick and Specialist Cody Medley. I cannot help feeling that the decision made by your office to not prosecute Jade Hammer is not only blatantly disrespectful to their families, but to all those working in public safety as well. It appears as though this woman is being protected, and that is beyond appalling.
There has been conflicting information in the media recently. The common thing between what I have read is that she admitted to drinking, admitted to speeding, and admitted to paying attention to a GPS device instead of traffic lights. I can almost guarantee you that in any other state, running a red light, driving with alcohol in your system on any level, not looking at the road, and causing the death of two public servants would be considered beyond reckless. If you and your office do not consider that being distracted and therefore driving recklessly, then what is?
Had it been Ms. Hammer that lost her life, these men would have lost their licenses, their jobs, and their freedom. Under the legal limit or not, that in no way means that she was not impaired. It saddens me knowing your office feels those two young men’s lives are worth nothing more than a ticket. This lack of respect or simple acknowledgement for the people who risk their lives to save others scares me.
There was a time when I wanted to work in Indianapolis. After seeing how your office treats line of duty death for its EMS personnel, I am not 100% sure now. Knowing that I could be in the same situation as Tim and Cody were in, and that my son and husband would have to jump through hoops to see justice makes me sick. They do not deserve that, nobody does.
Sincerely,
Kayleigh Owens
Stuff, things, and junk 