The family of Greg Longenecker has filed a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania State Police alleging that his civil rights were violated when police ran him over and killed him with a bulldozer last July.
“They killed a beautiful human being, a caring, loving man,” said Longenecker’s uncle.
At the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., we want to take some time to talk about this story because it highlights a case of possible police negligence. We will also discuss other ways in which wrongful death cases arise. If you need a Philadelphia Wrongful Death Lawyer, call us today.
Did Wrongful Death Occur Here?
Greg Longenecker was a short-order cook and vegetable gardener. He and his friend had also been tending to 10 marijuana plants on state land near Reading, PA.
A Pennsylvania Game Commission worker noticed Longenecker’s vehicle in the area and called the police. A law enforcement helicopter spotted Longenecker and the commission worker and a trooper began to pursue him in a bulldozer.
At some point in the pursuit, Longenecker got caught in the tread of the bulldozer and was crushed by the machine. How he got under the bulldozer is what is under dispute. Police say he was high on methamphetamine and went underneath to elude capture. His family says he was not high and that he would not have done that.
The family’s civil rights lawsuit was filed in Philadelphia and seeks damages against the state police, the game commission, and the specific individuals involved in the pursuit.
At least one member of the state police admitted that the situation could have been handled differently because they knew who Longenecker was and could have located him at a later date, especially for an offense as minor as this one. Prosecutors say that, had Longenecker lived and not evaded police, he would like have only received probation.
The Many Types of Wrongful Death
There are many ways in which wrongful death cases arise. The few listed below are just some of the common cases, but there are more. Always speak with a qualified attorney when examining your own situation.
- Drunk Driving Crashes
- Distracted Driving Incidents
- Faulty Product Cases
- Workplace Incidents
- Surgical mistakes
- Medical Malpractice
- Pharmaceutical errors
- Inadequate security on a premises
- Commercial Vehicle When the negligence of an individual, group, agency, or company contributes to the death of another person, they need to be held accountable.
What You Can Do Now
If you have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligent or careless act, please secure legal assistance as soon as possible. At the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., our team will work with you to get through this. We will investigate your case and help recover compensation for the following:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of future income of the deceased
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship damages
- Punitive damages
When you need a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation by calling(215)-799-9990