The family of Brianna Grier, a 24-year-old woman who died after falling from a moving police car in Georgia in 2020, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against two deputies and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. The lawsuit claims that the officers were guilty of “gross negligence” and “violated Grier’s civil rights,” resulting in her wrongful death. The lawsuit seeks $100 million in damages.
Grier was arrested for a probation violation and placed in the back of a patrol car without a seatbelt. She fell out of the moving vehicle, hitting her head, and was left unconscious by the side of the road. She died six days later from her resulting injuries. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation found that the rear passenger side door of the patrol car was never properly closed.
The complaint alleges that the defendants “acted jointly and in concert with each other” and “failed and refused” to “defend” Grier from the “unlawful actions of the other defendants.” The lawsuit also highlights the need for mental health care reform and the allocation of more resources to address such needs.
The case garnered attention and sparked calls for systemic change after the felony case against the officers was not brought to a civil or criminal grand jury. The footage from the body cameras worn by the deputies showed a brief struggle, resulting in Grier being carried on all fours, in handcuffs, and then placed in a patrol car. Less than a minute into the drive, Grier can be seen on the ground. According to an autopsy, Grier had multiple skull fractures and severe brain swelling.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump is representing the Grier family, stating that there was no excuse or justification for Grier’s death and the horrific manner in which she died. The family is seeking accountability through the civil lawsuit and hopes to bring attention to the systemic issues that allowed this tragedy to occur.
This case highlights the ongoing need for law enforcement reform and the importance of protecting the rights of those in police custody. The Grier family’s pursuit of justice serves as a reminder that all lives must be valued and protected under the law.
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