Judge Dismisses Suit Against Idaho State Police Over Crash

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A judge has ruled in favor of the Idaho State Police in a lawsuit filed by a former police sergeant who claims the agency mishandled a fatal crash involving a police officer.

The Idaho Press-Tribune reports the judge has ordered former Sgt. Fred Rice's claim regarding the investigation of a 2011 crash to be dismissed without prejudice. Payette County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Sloan had crashed into Barry Johnson's vehicle while responding to a 911 call, killing Johnson. Charges against Sloan were eventually dropped.

Rice had approved an initial crash investigation report accusing Sloan of operating his vehicle in an unsafe manner. Rice, who was accused of withholding evidence, was put on administrative leave and reprimanded. Rice claims the agency retaliated against him for his role in the investigation.