Red Light Camera News Would Germantown take $50.00 from a Baby,,, YEP!
Quote: "It was just turning," explained Steve Selvidge. "To not run it I was going to have to jam on the brakes. She was literally in the backseat on hands and knees in a contraction. I wasn't going to jam on the brakes."
http://www.wreg.com/wreg-red-light-cam-catches-dad-on-way-to-hospital-story,0,5007662.story
Scott Noll
6:33 p.m. CST, December 16, 2010
Dad cited for running red light on his way to hospital to deliver baby
Claims no one else was around and wife was having contractions
City says he can appeal the citation in court
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(Germantown, TN 12/16/2010) A trip to the hospital for some expectant parents, is going to cost a little more, after their car is caught on camera running a red light.
The woman was having contractions and ready to deliver a baby.
It happened last week in Germantown.
The Midtown couple was one block from the hospital when it happened.
The new dad admits he ran the light.
Tonight he's calling the ticket he got from the city, ridiculous.
At nine days old, little Frannie Selvidge will never remember the trip to the hospital the day she was born.
"I was definitely wanting to get there," recalled Frannie's dad Steve.
Mom-to-be Joann Selvidge was 30 hours into labor.
The contractions were coming every five minutes.
At 5:43 am, the only thing between the couple and Methodist Germantown Hospital was a red light at Poplar and West Street.
"It was just turning," explained Steve Selvidge. "To not run it I was going to have to jam on the brakes. She was literally in the backseat on hands and knees in a contraction. I wasn't going to jam on the brakes."
Selvidge saw the red light camera flash, but says he quickly forgot about it.
This week he received a citation in the mail.
It was a $50 fine for running the red light.
"It says 0.42 seconds after the light changed," said Joann referring to citation. It listed how long the light had been red before the couple's car entered the intersection.
ermantown's ordinance allows tickets to be tossed-out in the case of an emergency vehicle, but Selvidge's family car doesn't qualify.
He insists, he didn't run any other lights, and didn't put anyone else in jeopardy.
"I don't see any other cars in this picture," said Selvidge looking at the snapshots of the intersection included in the ticket.
Other drivers we talked with say cut the couple a break.
"Given the circumstances, that's extraordinary," said Chris Novarese of Germantown.
"I think it's a little silly that Germantown would be that occupied with laws when something like that is going on," said Ashley Harper of Cordova.
The Selvidges say it's not about the money.
The new parents are asking the city to deliver some common sense.
"Look at this face," said Steve Selvidge holding up his newborn. "Do you want to take $50 from this baby's mouth?"
Germantown police wouldn't talk to us about the ticket.
A city spokeswoman says the couple can plead their case to a judge.
If they lose, that $50 fine, jumps to $92.50.
Selvidge says he's not sure what he'll do.
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