A high-speed police chase has resulted in a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania State Police and several of its officers. On June 3, 2024, Randolph Quintal filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Christopher Abbott, Jarred Burnett, Christopher Adams, and Kristen Phillips.
The incident occurred on March 6, 2023, when Mr. Quintal was driving towards a Sunoco gas station in Norristown, PA. At around 1:42 am, his vehicle was struck by both a Chevrolet Malibu driven by Defendant Christopher Adams and a PSP patrol vehicle driven by Troopers Abbott and Burnett. The collision resulted from an almost 20-minute high-speed chase initiated by the troopers after they observed Adams making an illegal turn in Pottstown, PA. According to the complaint, Adams drove recklessly through multiple boroughs at excessive speeds with his headlights off while being pursued by the troopers.
Mr. Quintal alleges that he suffered catastrophic injuries due to this reckless pursuit. His injuries include a closed right ankle fracture, sternal fracture, closed fracture of the distal left fibula, displacement of trans pedicular screws in his mid and lower back along with a fracture of the left conceptual rod in his lower back. The complaint accuses the PSP and its officers of negligence for failing to enact proper procedures for vehicle operation and training their troopers adequately.
The lawsuit claims that Troopers Abbott and Burnett were acting under color of state law during their pursuit and that their actions were grossly negligent and reckless. It further states that no reasonably competent official could conclude that their actions did not violate Mr. Quintal’s constitutional rights. The plaintiff also asserts that Defendant Kristen Phillips negligently entrusted her vehicle to Adams despite knowing he was unfit to drive.
Mr. Quintal is seeking compensatory damages exceeding $50,000 for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of earnings capacity, punitive damages for gross negligence and recklessness by all defendants involved including PSP's failure to properly train or supervise its officers.
The case is being handled by attorneys Kevin P. O’Brien and Brock J. Atkins from Stampone O’Brien Dilsheimer Holloway law firm.