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Konop lacked insurance at time of auto accident

Dec 13, 2007 | Joe Vardon | Toledo Blade News

Lucas County Commissioner Ben Konop was driving without auto insurance Monday when he was involved in a three-car accident that he caused in the 3100 block of Secor Road. He was cited for failing to maintain an assured clear distance for the chain-reaction accident and could result in the suspension of his driver's license for lack of insurance coverage. Mr. Konop was cited after his 2007 Mercury Mariner collided with a 1993 Ford Taurus that was stopped in traffic about
1 p.m. on Secor near West Central Avenue. The Taurus then hit a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix, which also was stopped. According to a Toledo police report, Mr. Konop was insured by Progressive. But yesterday, Mr. Konop admitted his insurance had expired before the accident. Mr. Konop said he didn't have a proof-of-insurance card in his car when the accident occurred. He said he provided his policy number to police and the others involved in the accident. The Ohio Revised Code states that a person must show proof of insurance at the time of a traffic violation or accident, and violators could face a two-year suspension of their driver's license. The law allows for limited driving privileges to be restored if insurance is obtained and other criteria are met. Mr. Konop said he didn't know at the time that his insurance had expired. "I had an insurance policy and I still thought I had one," he said. "I take responsibility for it, and I am very disappointed in myself." Mr. Konop learned yesterday that Progressive Insurance Co. had not received a payment from him since Oct. 24. He said he had been paying his insurance premiums via the Internet, and thought he was set up for Progressive to automatically withdraw the premiums from his bank account. He said he was told yesterday Progressive never received permission to make those withdrawals. Mr. Konop said his insurance expired nine days before the accident. The commissioner yesterday wrote a letter to and called Toledo police to report that his insurance had expired. Mr. Konop also said he purchased a year's worth of car insurance yesterday. He said he already paid his $113 fine for the traffic violation and wrote a check to Derek Goeckerman of Holland for $1,100 to cover the damage to his car. The other driver, Deborah Champion of West Toledo, said she will get a damage estimate for her vehicle today, and Mr. Konop pledged to cover those repair costs. There were no serious injuries in the accident, although Ms. Champion was examined later at a local hospital. "He was very gracious," Ms. Champion said. "He came to my car right away to see if I was OK."