Drones have become super popular with technology enthusiasts as well as with people who love photography. These innovative unmanned aerial vehicles are the rage among U.S. citizens while more and more companies are investing funds to manufacture better commercial drones.
However, like any other technology, drones too possess a certain degree of hazard to the user or to others.
A Seattle man landed himself a 30-day jail sentence by flying a drone irresponsibly. The drone reportedly dropped mid flight and fell on a woman's head, knocking her unconscious. The accused, Paul Skinner, was found guilty by the Seattle Municipal Court of reckless endangerment.
The incident occurred during the Seattle Pride Parade in 2015. However, Skinner's attorney maintains that it was an accident and the sentence by the court was too severe.
The Incident
Skinner, the 38-year-old accused, runs an aerial photography business. The incident occurred when Skinner was recording the Pride Parade using his 18x18-inch drone which weighs 2 pounds.
While recording, his drone supposedly rammed against a building and dropped down from the sky, hitting a 25-year-old woman on the head and knocking her down.
The victim was treated by an off-duty firefighter before police arrived and she had to be taken to the Virginia Mason Hospital for further treatment.
The Sentence
It is reported that the drone pilot was not only given a 30-day jail sentence, but he was also ordered to pay $500 as a fine to the Court.
City Attorney Pete Holmes had demanded a three-month prison term for the accused, stating that the incident was an indication of a serious public issue which would get worse with time.
However, Skinner will appeal the sentencing and would hope that he would not have to serve time in prison for the incident.
Other Drone Crash Cases
Similar incidents related to drones have occurred lately and have caused some concern to authorities.
During a concert in Tijuana in 2015, Mexican singer Enrique Iglesias got seriously hurt while trying to grab a flying drone with his hand.
Swindled drone flights have been described as a serious public safety issue. Moreover, the Federal Aviation Administration has stipulated that drones may not be operated over any person in any circumstances.
These incidents are a serious cause of concern when considering the safety of these drones. The authorities would perhaps keep close watch on other such developments and it may even be possible to regulate the use of these devices.
Photo: Peter Linehan | Flickr
