PHILADELPHIA - Cops from several Pennsylvania towns face an excessive force lawsuit.
Imeen Barnes, a resident of Pennsylvania, filed a lawsuit Jan. 2 against multiple municipalities and their police departments in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The defendants include Eddystone Borough, Ridley Township, Darby Township, Glenolden Borough, and several unnamed police officers from these areas.
The alleged incident occurred late Jan. 2, 2022, at an automobile rally. Barnes says he was riding with his brother, who posts YouTube videos regarding cars and car rallies.
The plaintiff alleges that the defendants approached his vehicle with guns drawn, initiated a high-speed chase, and collided with his vehicle resulting in an accident and injury. The action is brought under 42 U.S.C. §§ 1983 and 1988, as well as Pennsylvania common law.
The lawsuit also implicates specific police officers including Ridley Township Police Officer Shane Laird and Darby Township Police Officer Kevin Urzi. Barnes is represented by Jason Parris of Abramson & Denenberg.