Civil case proceeds against former Cape cop in 2012 accident

A civil case against a former Cape Girardeau police officer is making its way through circuit court, as a claimant seeks damages for medical bills after a 2012 car accident.

Jason Selzer, 44, was a Cape Girardeau officer at the time of a motor vehicle accident Jan 3, 2012 on Sprigg Street near William Street. He was driving his patrol car when he struck Rebecca Picker, whose 2007 Dodge Caravan was stopped behind Kimberley Hornbuck, driving a 2010 Cadillac CVS, which also was stopped.

The Cape Girardeau police report by Joseph Thomas states Selzer possibly contributed to the accident by following too closely. Thomas wrote Selzer applied the brake, but his foot slipped.

Picker is seeking damages related to medical bills for injuries to her head, back, neck and body. Picker told Thomas, according to his report, her head and neck hurt at the accident scene, but she declined an ambulance.

The petition in the case names Selzer and the city as defendants. It states Selzer and the city were negligent in one of the following areas: Selzer for failing to keep a proper lookout, following too close, failing to brake, driving too fast or failing to stop and swerve; the city in entrusting Selzer with a vehicle with a defective braking system, properly training Selzer, failing to properly supervise Selzer or for failing to properly implement policies and procedures for the operation of its vehicle.

Selzer and city attorney Michael Bub, of Clayton, denied all those claims in the answer to the petition.

The exact amount of damages will be revealed only through the discovery process, which has just started, said Picker's attorney, Daniel Rau of Cape Girardeau. He said a possible trial would be at least six to nine months from now.

The city is liable only for up to $300,000 in the case, according to Missouri law. Bub said the city's insurance would cover the full amount of liability.

Bub said he is holding out hope for a settlement.

"Most cases settle," he said. "More than 90 percent."

There will be a 9 a.m. Nov. 9 case review hearing.

bkleine@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3644

Pertinent address: 40 S. Sprigg Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo