FAIRFIELD >> Allegations of misconduct from the Vallejo Police Department were brought forth Wednesday morning during a public hearing at the Old Solano County Courthouse.
Two years ago on March 1, Vallejo officer Joel Caitham was driving in a marked police vehicle to a fight at Coconut Grove in Vallejo when he crashed into the driver’s side of a white Toyota Corolla driven by Rene Andriano, according to a California Highway Patrol report.
Andriano was severely injured as a result of the collision, suffering a lacerated spleen, rib fractures, lung contusion and a head laceration. He was taken to Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Vallejo, where he remained for two weeks.
Officer Caitham received minor injuries to his right wrist, head and neck and was taken to John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek, the report read.
According to a timeline of events determined by a California Highway Patrol investigation team, Andriano was on his way to work at the Lucky’s supermarket in Napa when he stopped for a few seconds at the intersection of Georgia Street and Gleason Avenue, a route he took on a daily basis.
After not seeing any approaching vehicles, Andriano accelerated into the intersection and was struck by Caitham.
A public summary of an interview taken by Highway Patrol investigators nine days after the collision explains Caitham could not recall what speed he was driving or if his emergency lights were activated.
At the courthouse Wednesday morning, prosecution and defense teams met with judge Paul Beeman to discuss the verbatim release of Caitham’s interview, as well as Caitham’s records from Kaiser Permanente Hospital.
Caitham’s lawyer requested Beeman disregard the information, while Andriano’s attorney Robert Glassman spoke on its importance to the case.
“The Vallejo Police Department officer recklessly caused this collision and nearly killed Mr. Andriano,” Glassman said Wednesday. “It’s inexcusable and offensive that Vallejo is now trying to hide information about the collision and have the audacity to turn around and blame Mr. Andriano. Unfortunately, because of Officer Caitham’s job title, he thinks he’s above the law. He’s not. No one is, not even the cops.”
After hearing both sides of the argument, judge Beeman took the matter under submission. California law dictates Beeman now has 90 days to make a decision on whether or not to allow the statement and medical records to be released.
A spokesman for Vallejo Police Department refused to comment on the case Wednesday afternoon due to it currently being in civil litigation.
Parties involved in the case were set to reconvene July 29 in the courthouse. A jury trial is currently scheduled for August 23.
Matthew Adkins can be reached at 707-553-6833.
