NYPD Puts the Blame on Pedestrian Run Over by Cop

Yikes.

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

NYPD is fighting a lawsuit filed by the family of a Brooklyn teacher who was run over by a police officer as he entered the crosswalk with the signal (and had the right of way). 61-year-old Felix Coss attempted to cross the street in Williamsburg when he was struck by Paula Medrano driving a marked police van on July 6, 2013. He died later that night from severe head injuries. Footage from the incident can be seen here

Coss’s family maintains that Medrano was on her phone when she failed to yield, Streetblog reports. According to the New York Daily News, the Internal Affairs Bureau subpoenaed her phone records but she was never charged. The NYPD insists he knew the risks when he tried to cross. A court filing read:

Plantiff(s) voluntarily performed and engaged in the alleged activity and assumed the risk of the injuries and/or damages claimed. Plaintiff(s) failed to use all required, proper, appropriate and reasonable safety devices and/or equipment and failed to take all proper, appropriate and reasonable steps to assure his/her/their safety…Plaintiff(s)’ implied assumption of risk caused or contributed, in whole or in part [sic] to his/her/their injuries.

The family’s attorney and NYPD representatives are due back in court in April.

Latest in Life