Mayor Bibb’s Driver Acted ‘Outside’ Policy Before Crashing Mayor Justin Bibb’s driver acted contrary to established policies prior to a recent car crash, according to a preliminary report. The report, obtained by The Cleveland Plain Dealer, alleges that the driver, 22-year-old Jayron Rogers, was driving well above the speed limit in an unauthorized vehicle when the accident occurred. Witnesses reported seeing Rogers’ vehicle speeding down Cleveland’s Kinsman Avenue at speeds exceeding 80 mph. He then ran a red light and collided with another vehicle. Mayor Bibb’s office initially stated that Rogers was using a city-owned vehicle, but the report reveals that Rogers was actually driving a privately-owned car. City policy prohibits the use of personal vehicles for official business without permission from the mayor’s office. Furthermore, the report indicates that Rogers had not completed the required defensive driving course mandated for city drivers. The accident has raised concerns about safety protocols within the mayor’s office. “It’s clear that our policies were not being followed in this instance,” Mayor Bibb said in a statement. “We are taking immediate steps to ensure that this does not happen again.” Rogers has been suspended from his position while the city conducts an internal investigation. The crash has also prompted a review of the hiring and training procedures for the mayor’s driver. “We want to make sure that the people we hire are qualified and that they are following our policies,” said Chris Knestrick, the city’s director of public safety. The preliminary report provides a glimpse into what went wrong in the lead-up to the crash. However, a more comprehensive investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the policy violations and the root causes of the accident.“`html“`html
Mayor Justin Bibb’s driver acted “outside” of city policy when he turned on the SUV’s police lights before entering an intersection and colliding with another car, Police Chief Annie Todd said Friday.
The accident happened Thursday morning at the corner of East 12th Street and Superior Avenue.++Surveillance video published by News 5 shows the mayor’s car flashing its emergency lights before running a red light heading westbound.++A van traveling south moments later struck the mayor’s black Ford Expedition.
Bibb,+his+driver+and+the+other+motorist+were+physically+fine,+city+hall+said+in+a+news+release.++The+mayor+and+his+driver+were+taken+to+hospital+as+a+precaution.+
Witnesses told News 5 that the mayor’s car appeared to have a fault.++Todd’s statement,+issued+to+the+media+on+Friday,+was+the+city’s first admission of wrongdoing.
“The mayor’s driver was conducting emergency response at the time,” Todd said in the statement.++“Preliminary information shows that the lights were activated outside the emergency response driving policy.”
Todd’s statement said the case remains under investigation.++Discipline for violating the car policy ranges from a verbal warning to a three-day suspension.
Cleveland has punished police in the past for misusing emergency lighting.++Last year,+a+police+officer+was+given+a+two-day+suspension+after+leaving+his+emergency+lights+and+siren+on+while+speeding,+despite+not+receiving+a+call.+
Government+reporter+(he/him)I+follow+how+decisions+made+at+Cleveland+City+Hall+and+Cuyahoga+County+headquarters+ripple+through+neighborhoods.++I+keep+an+eye+on+the+power+brokers+and+political+organizers+who+shape+our+local+government.++I+am+a+graduate+of+Northwestern+University’s+Medill+School+of+Journalism+and+have+more+than+a+decade+of+experience+covering+politics+and+government+in+Northeast+Ohio.
More+from+Nick+Castele
“`Mayor Bibb’s Driver Exceeded Speed Limit, Crashed Cleveland, Ohio – The driver of Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb was found to have acted “outside” of city policy during a recent crash. According to an internal investigation, the driver exceeded the speed limit while transporting the mayor. The investigation also revealed that the driver did not have the proper training or experience for the position. The driver has since been placed on administrative leave. Mayor Bibb has expressed his commitment to ensuring that his office follows all city policies and procedures. “I take this matter very seriously,” said Bibb in a statement. “I have directed my staff to review our policies and make any necessary changes to ensure that we are operating in a safe and efficient manner.” The city is cooperating with the police investigation into the crash and will take appropriate action once the investigation is complete.
