West Virginia Trooper Faces Lawsuit Over Deadly]").

A West Virginia state trooper, Chad Wiseman, is facing a lawsuit in relation to a fatal motor vehicle collision that occurred in 2020. The lawsuit was filed by the family of Victor Dallaire, a 66-year-old man who died in the crash. Wiseman was allegedly driving his patrol car erratically and at a high speed when he struck and killed Dallaire, who was riding a motorcycle. According to the lawsuit, Wiseman's actions that day were negligent and reckless, and led to the tragic loss of life.

Wiseman, a 13-year veteran of the West Virginia State Police, was driving his marked patrol car north on US-220 in Allegheny County on August 8, 2020. Dallaire was riding his motorcycle in the opposite direction. Wiseman allegedly lost control of his vehicle, crossed over the center line, and crashed into Dallaire's motorcycle. Dallaire was pronounced dead at the scene.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims that Wiseman was "acting outside the scope of his authority" and was under the influence of prescription medication at the time of the collision. The lawsuit also alleges that the West Virginia State Police failed to adequately supervise Wiseman and provide him with administrative and medical support. The family is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.

Wiseman's license was initially revoked, but it was reinstated in 2021 after he successfully completed a rehabilitation program for impaired drivers. The State Police also disciplined Wiseman for his actions that day, reducing him to Trooper 4 status and suspending him without pay for 96 hours. Wiseman is still employed by the department, but the lawsuit raises questions about the accountability and oversight of law enforcement officers.

Background of the Incident

According to the lawsuit, the collision was reported at 3:58 AM. Wiseman was driving a 2016 Ford F-150 pickup truck, reportedly traveling at a speed of 73mph in a 35mph zone. Wiseman reported that he lost control of his vehicle due to a "puck-like" object on the road, but this is disputed by the passenger in Wiseman's vehicle. That passenger claimed that Wiseman was "speeding and weaving in and out of lanes" before the incident.

The passenger, Anna Fallin, stated that Wiseman's eyes were red and glassy, and he seemed disoriented and confused after the crash. Fallin also said that Wiseman claimed to have taken Tylenol PM the night before and had a "bloody nose." This account is corroborated by the West Virginia State Police report, which notes that Wiseman reported being on medication the night before the crash and had a nosebleed as a result.

The Investigation and Lawsuit

An investigation into the crash was conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which estimated that Wiseman's vehicle at the time of the crash was traveling between 60-70mph in a 35mph zone. The NTSB report concluded that Wiseman lost control of his vehicle due to speeding and reading the speedometer incorrectly. The report notes that Wiseman claimed to have been on a normal patrol run, but the body camera footage on his vehicle shows it was in fact responding to an unrelated emergency call at the time of the crash.

The lawsuit, filed in June 2022, asserts that Wiseman's actions were a breach of his duty and were caused by a combination of speeding, reckless driving, and impaired driving. The lawsuit argues that the inattention caused by these actions resulted in Dallaire's death. The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages of more than $75,000.

The lawsuit also claims that Wiseman was not properly supervised or evaluated by his superiors. The plaintiffs contend that Wiseman's reckless and negligent behavior was enabled by inadequate policies and procedures within the West Virginia State Police.

Impact and Potential Repercussions

The Wiseman case highlights ongoing debates about police accountability and the consequences of officer misconduct. It has sparked discussions about in-service training for troopers who may be on medication, the limits of officer immunity, and the department's policies on impaired driving and reckless behavior.

"We cannot ignore the loss of life in this tragic incident," said Dallaire's daughter. "We believe the West Virginia State Police dropped the ball when it came to accountability, and we want to make sure that others do not suffer the same fate."

Wiseman's law enforcement comrades have rallied in his defense. Some state officials voiced their support and said the trooper has a record of exhibiting good conduct otherwise.