Three hit by Modesto officer's car file claims with city

MODESTO -- A Modesto mother, her teenage daughter and another child have filed claims against the city after a police officer rear-ended their sport utility vehicle while they were stopped at a stop sign.

The accident happened Sept. 18 at Butte Avenue and Seattle Street in south Modesto. A police traffic collision report found officer Matthew McMahon at fault because he was following too closely.

According to the report:

Rosemary Florez and her 16-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old boy were traveling east in a GMC Yukon along Butte when they stopped for a stop sign at the intersection. McMahon was following them. The officer spotted a man he thought was on parole walking along the street.

While watching the man, the officer noticed that the Yukon had stopped. The officer said he misjudged the distance between his patrol car and the SUV and struck it. McMahon was traveling at 5 to 10 mph.

The accident occurred about 5:25 p.m.

The officer who investigated the accident cited Florez for driving on a suspended driver's license.

Florez's daughter complained of neck and back pain and was taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center in Modesto.

In their claims, Florez is seeking $1,270.10. She, her daughter and the 6-year-old are seeking other unspecified amounts.

City spokesman Jim Arnold said in an email that city officials would have no comment because these are active claims.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or (209) 578-2316.