Former Idaho Officer Sues Coworker Over Career-Ending Crash

A former Coeur d’Alene, Idaho police detective has filed a lawsuit against a co-worker who rear-ended the detective’s vehicle while looking at his cellphone, causing injuries that led to his retirement.

The Coeur d’Alene Press reports Tracy L. Martin is seeking financial compensation from Mike Calderwood. Both men were off-duty at the time of the Feb. 1, 2011, collision near the police station.

Martin was stopped at an intersection and Calderwood told the Idaho State Police that he was distracted by his cellphone and hit Martin’s vehicle. Calderwood was not cited.

The lawsuit alleges Martin retired on Dec. 5 due to medical complications.

Martin told the investigating trooper that he was not injured, but the lawsuit alleges injuries persisted.

Calderwood could not be reached for comment.