Current:Home > Contact-usFamily of man who died after struggle with officer sues tow truck driver they say sat on his head-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Family of man who died after struggle with officer sues tow truck driver they say sat on his head
View Date:2024-12-23 18:29:56
ATLANTA (AP) — The family of a Georgia church deacon who died after struggling with a police officer following a minor car crash has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a tow truck driver they say arrived during the confrontation and sat on the man’s head and neck.
The lawsuit filed Monday says the officer’s body camera video shows the tow truck driver straddling Johnny Hollman Sr. during the tussle Aug. 10, “appearing to sit with his full body weight” on Hollman’s head and neck.
Relatives have said Hollman, 62, was driving home from Bible study at his daughter’s house and taking dinner to his wife when he collided with another vehicle while turning across a busy street just west of downtown Atlanta.
Atlanta police Officer Kiran Kimbrough responded to the crash and he quickly decided Hollman was to blame. Hollman insisted he had done nothing wrong but Kimbrough ordered him to sign a traffic ticket. The two men began to tussle.
Kimbrough’s body camera video released last month shows Hollman quickly ended up on the ground, as he continued to insist he didn’t do anything wrong. Kimbrough yells at him to sign the ticket.
Hollman repeatedly says “I can’t breathe,” and Kimbrough uses a Taser to shock him.
About 10 seconds later, a man identified in the lawsuit as the tow truck driver is seen coming to the officer’s aid.
The lawsuit says the tow truck driver “immediately joined the officer” on top of Hollman’s body and “forcefully grabbed” Hollman’s left arm without the officer appearing to ask for help. The suit says the driver “straddled the citizen’s head and neck, appearing to sit with his full body weight on the citizen’s head and neck.” The suit says the driver straddled Hollman’s head and neck for at least 20 seconds while handcuffs were put on Hollman.
Hollman was declared dead at a hospital.
An autopsy determined that Hollman’s death was a homicide, with heart disease a contributing factor.
The other driver in the crash was not involved in the struggle.
The lawsuit accuses the tow truck driver of being negligent or reckless, and of causing or contributing to the physical injuries that Hollman suffered before dying. The family is asking for a jury trial and wants unspecified damages against the driver and S&W Services of Atlanta, his employer.
Reached by phone, a man at S&W who identified himself only as Tom and said he was a dispatcher said the company had no comment on the lawsuit.
Kimbrough was fired on Oct. 10 after Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said the officer violated department policy when he didn’t wait until a supervisor arrived to arrest Hollman. Kimbrough’s attorney Lance LoRusso has said the officer did nothing wrong and has appealed his dismissal.
Hollman’s family has called for Kimbrough and the tow truck driver to be arrested and charged in Hollman’s death. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has completed its inquiry into Hollman’s death and has turned its file over to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who will decide whether to pursue charges.
veryGood! (79)
Related
- Jennifer Garner Details Navigating Grief 7 Months After Death of Her Dad William Garner
- Jaafar Jackson looks nearly identical to uncle Michael Jackson in first look of biopic
- Nintendo amps up an old feud in 'Mario vs. Donkey Kong'
- One Love, 11 Kids: A Guide to Bob Marley's Massive Family
- GM recalling big pickups and SUVs because the rear wheels can lock up, increasing risk of a crash
- Allow These 14 Iconic Celebrity Dates to Inspire You This Valentine’s Day
- Pond hockey in New Hampshire brightens winter for hundreds. But climate change threatens the sport
- What a deal: Tony Finau's wife 'selling' his clubs for 99 cents (and this made Tony LOL)
- Mississippi governor intent on income tax cut even if states receive less federal money
- Connecticut pastor was dealing meth in exchange for watching sex, police say
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Mattel's 'Wicked' mistake
- Natalee Holloway Murderer Joran van der Sloot's Violent Crimes Explored in Chilling Doc
- Greek lawmakers are debating a landmark bill to legalize same-sex marriage. Here’s what it means
- VaLENTines: Start of Lent on Feb. 14 puts indulgence, abstinence in conflict for some
- SNL's Chloe Fineman Says Rude Elon Musk Made Her Burst Into Tears as Show Host
- Monty Python's Eric Idle says he's still working at 80 for financial reasons: Not easy at this age
- Amid artificial intelligence boom, AI girlfriends - and boyfriends - are making their mark
- Next stop Hollywood? Travis Kelce gets first producer credit on SXSW movie
Recommendation
-
Powerball winning numbers for November 11 drawing: Jackpot hits $103 million
-
'Always kiss goodbye.' 'Invest in a good couch.' Americans share best and worst relationship advice.
-
'More optimistic': January CPI numbers show inflation still bugs consumers, but not as much
-
Tai chi reduces blood pressure better than aerobic exercise, study finds
-
Wisconsin authorities believe kayaker staged his disappearance and fled to Europe
-
Department of Energy Partners With States and Research Institutes to Boost Offshore Wind Development
-
Mystery ship capsizes in Trinidad and Tobago, triggering massive oil spill and national emergency
-
Connecticut pastor found with crystal meth during traffic stop, police say