Cop: Aw, scoot!
Sues city for injury on 2-wheeler in park chase
A COP patrolling Central Park late at night sued the city Thursday over a crash while aboard an NYPD scooter.
Officer Carmelo Fargas, 32, says in papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court that on Sept. 4 at 2:30 a.m., he was chasing after a group of kids running on the grounds when he crashed his Piaggio two-wheel scooter after hitting “potholes, depressions and/or openings and obstructions” in a field.
“I observed a group of kids in an area where they should not be,” Fargas said in a police report. “As I went to investigate, I struck a ditch causing me to lose control of my scooter. I attempted to prevent myself from falling by extending my left leg which immediately caused severe pain to my left knee.”
The ruts that led to the wreck near Central Park West and 85th St. were caused by “erosion from heavy water runoff,” the suit claims.
Fargas’ injuries were so severe, he “became totally disabled for a period of time.”
He “believes that such disability will continue for some time in the future.”
A notice of claim filed with city Controller Scott Stringer’s office indicates Fargas ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee, requiring surgery.
Papers claim the knee also became infected and that he suffered from a “limp and gait deformity.”
Photos submitted with the claim show Fargas sitting in a dirt rut with his right pant leg rolled up, his knee turned at an uncomfortable angle.
Fargas charges that the city is liable for the field being “unlevel, gapped, depressed (and) uneven,” causing the mishap. The city had a duty to keep the park in a “safe and proper condition,” the suit says.
Fargas declined to comment when reached by the Daily News.
His attorneys — who note on their website that they publish “The Police Officers Right to Sue” newsletter — did not respond to a request for comment.
Fargas seeks damages to be determined at trial.
“We will review the suit,” a Law Department spokesman said.
In 2015, the NYPD bought a fleet of Smart cars, which the department said were more maneuverable and cheaper than certain models of scooters.
It was not immediately clear if Fargas was using a helmet at the time of his spill.
Scooter cops are required to wear helmets, though they often forgo the headgear.