March 22, 2012 (Press-News.org) A Carbondale woman, who charged a Carbondale police officer with unlawfully using his police cruiser to ram the all terrain vehicle (ATV) in which she was riding, has settled her Federal Civil Rights lawsuit against the officer and the City of Carbondale for $105,000.
In May 2009, Chelsea Rocuba, 17 years-old at the time, was a passenger in a legally registered and operated ATV when it was rammed by Carbondale Police Officer Timothy Mackrell using a "pit maneuver," a move commonly used by police forces. The pit maneuver involves the law enforcement vehicle steering sharply into the target vehicle, causing it to reverse direction, spin out, or leave the roadway.
The pit maneuver forced the ATV abruptly sideways, causing the driver to lose control, throwing Ms. Rocuba from the vehicle to the pavement.
As a result of Officer Mackrell's actions, Ms. Rocuba suffered back and neck injuries. The ramming of the ATV, causing Rocuba's injuries, was the latest in a series of accidents involving Carbondale Police Cruisers and ATV's. In the Rocuba case, Officer Mackrell was suspended for ten days. .
Dennis Boyle, attorney for Ms. Rocuba, said after the settlement was reached: "The settlement of $105,000 will be paid by the City of Carbondale. We hope that this will send a message that the practice of using police vehicles to unlawfully ram citizens will not be tolerated by the public."
[This case is Case # 3:10-CV-1465]
Website: http://www.pa-injurylaw.com
Injured Carbondale Woman Settles Suit Against Police Officer; City of Carbondale Will Pay $105,000 Settlement
A Carbondale woman, who charged a Carbondale police officer with unlawfully using his police cruiser to ram the all terrain vehicle (ATV) in which she was riding, has settled her lawsuit for $105,000.
2012-03-22
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[Press-News.org] Injured Carbondale Woman Settles Suit Against Police Officer; City of Carbondale Will Pay $105,000 SettlementA Carbondale woman, who charged a Carbondale police officer with unlawfully using his police cruiser to ram the all terrain vehicle (ATV) in which she was riding, has settled her lawsuit for $105,000.