Police & Fire

APD officer sued after collision with bicycle; report notes bicyclist at fault

Ed: This article, originally posted on 2/3/23, was updated on 2/7/23 to include information obtained from an accident report.

A Bryant woman is suing an Arkadelphia police officer for injuries she says she suffered in a car-versus-bicycle collision.

Madison Fallis, of Bryant, claimed in a lawsuit filed Feb. 1, 2023, that she was struck by an officer in an Arkadelphia Police Department patrol car. Fallis has retained the Law Offices of Alan LeVar, an Arkadelphia-based firm, to represent her in the case.

The lawsuit details the March 21, 2022, collision that happened on Professional Park Drive. Fallis was northbound on a battery-powered bicycle when Officer Jacob Voss “turned in front of [her], entering her lane, and striking [her],” the lawsuit alleges.

Fallis reports that the impact of the collision threw her from the bicycle and caused her to suffer injuries that required surgery. Fallis’ lawsuit alleges that the collision happened because Voss “was driving at an excessive speed, failed to pay attention, and recklessly collided with [her] in her lane of travel.”

The lawsuit goes on to add that the plaintiff suffered physical injuries “throughout her body” and will incur future medical expenses. Fallis is seeking compensation for medical expenses, loss of income or potential income lost as a result of undergoing medical treatment, and for pain, suffering and mental anguish.

The lawsuit was filed through attorney Ezra Smith in the Clark County Circuit Court-Civil Division.

An accident report on file with Arkansas State Police, who investigated the accident, tells another story and adds details not included in court documents. Written by Trooper Kendrick Davis, the report states that the collision occurred at 3:02 a.m. at the driveway entrance to West Pine Exxon.

Voss, according to the report, was in the process of turning into the gas station parking lot when 23-year-old Fallis approached, traveling downhill in the opposite direction. Voss stopped his Dodge Charger patrol car “in an effort to leave enough room” for Fallis to pass, the report states. “However, [Fallis] was unable to avoid colliding with [Voss]” and struck the front of the squad car.

The report adds that Fallis was the at-fault driver for “failing to properly operate her vehicle without satisfying the necessary lighting requirements.” Fallis was transported by ambulance to Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia and ultimately to St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs.

The squad car is insured by the Arkansas Municipal League.