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On May 4th, David Washington was driving his car down Route 1 near the University of Mary Washington when he experienced a medical emergency. The emergency caused him to black out, hit a jeep, and cross over the median striking a road sign.
The driver of the jeep called 9-1-1 to report the crash and officer Shaun Jergens arrived on the scene. Body cam footage shows that Jergens cared not about the man in obvious medical distress.
As Jergens approached the car, the distressed and barely responsive Washington was blasted pepper-sprayed and tasered.
"Get out the car or I'm going to fucking smoke you," says Jergens after assaulting Washington.
Jergens then dragged the sick man out of his car and continued his assault by laying him on the hot asphalt. As if being pepper-sprayed, tasered, thrown on the ground and handcuffed wasn't enough, police allowed the car to roll on top of Washington's foot.
Washington was then taken to the hospital to be treated for his assault and doctors discovered that he had in fact been experiencing a medical emergency.
After reviewing the incident in accordance with department policy, Command Staff determined that the force used by the officers involved in the incidence was "not appropriate," according to WJLA.
Jurgens resigned from the department on May 14."The use of force demonstrated in the incident involving Mr. Washington was not in compliance with department policy or training," said Captain Rick Pennock in a news release. "We take matters such as these very seriously and require that officers at all times exercise appropriate restraint and good judgment in their dealings with citizens."
No charges have been filed against Jergens for his abuse. None of the officers involved face charges for failing to stop this assault either. However, Washington was charged with hit-and-run, hit-and-run (property damage), reckless driving, and driving on a revoked or suspended license. Is this justice?
Below are the three different body cam videos from the officers on the scene.
Comment: Heartbreaking that someone was treated this way, and to know this is how anyone of us can be treated at any time. Everyone is considered a threat to the police at all times.