On Monday November 8, 2010 two lawsuits were filed against the Toledo Police Department involving the same officer, Diane Chandler. One of the cases is a wrongful death while the second is filed for a violation of civil rights.

The first incident occured on December 14, 2009 when the Toledo Police were called to Marria’s Adult Family Home because a resident there had become agitated and was holding a pair of craft scissors. The resdent, 62 year  old Linda Hicks with schizophrenia and a pacemaker, refused to give the scissors to the police. They then proceeded to taze her and after two times when she didn’t comply she was fatally shot.

At the time of her shooting she was not on her medication. The defendants in this case are the City of Toledo for violation of civil rights, the Toledo Police Department for violation of civil rights and wrongful death,  Officer Diane Chandler for violation of civil rights, gross negligence, assault, battery and wrongful death, and Marria’s Adult Family Home for negligence and wrongful death.

The second case happened just six weeks after the first incident. Officer Chandler was pursuing a stolen vehicle when the driver crashed into a building. The passenger of the vehicle, Nathaniel Lewis,  was not aware that the vehicle was stolen at the time. He  proceeded on foot and when he was blocked into a driveway he stopped and put his hands up. This is when Ms. Chandler approached him with her police cruiser. As she turned into the driveway appearing not to try and brake at all she struck the passenger and he was thrown about 10-12 feet. The cruiser was going 35-45 mph. Mr. Lewis suffered severe head neck back and other injuries.

In this case the defendants are the City of Toledo for violation of civil rights, the Toledo Police Department for violation of civil rights, and Officer Diane Chandler for violation of civil rights, gross negligence, assault and battery.

Our office, Charles Boyk Law Offices, is handling both of these cases. If you or someone you love has been invloved in an incident like either of these, you need help. You need a Toledo, Ohio wrongful death lawyer. Call 800.637.8170 to set up your free consultation today and to request a free copy of our “Ohio Wrongful Death Book.”