By the Associated Press
A Kansas sheriff’s deputy caught on dashcam video running over a Black man who was fleeing shirtless across a field says in a court filing that he accidently struck the man with his patrol truck.
Responding to a federal civil rights lawsuit, Kiowa County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Rodriguez denied Thursday that he intentionally swerved his truck to run over Lionel Womack on Aug. 15. Womack says he sustained serious injuries when Rodriguez intentionally drove over him. The video is at the crux of the case alleging the deputy used excessive force.
Rodriguez denies the allegations and says he’s entitled to qualified immunity.
Womack is accused of speeding and running during an attempted stop. He was chased through several counties before being arrested by police from Pratt.
