$1.5 Million for Woman Beaten on the Side of the Highway by CHP Officer
Video of a California Highway Patrol officer punching a woman on the head on the side of a highway in Los Angeles got wide attention in July. Back when the incident was exposed, CHP promised to investigate the matter.
Yesterday, following a nine-hour mediation session, the CHP agreed to a $1.5 million settlement. And the officer involved has agreed to resign. From the Associated Press:
The statement said that Officer Daniel Andrew, who joined the CHP in 2012 and has been on paid administrative leave since the incident, "has elected to resign."
Andrew could still be charged criminally in the case. The CHP forwarded the results of its investigation of the incident to Los Angeles County prosecutors last month, saying he could face serious charges but none have been filed yet.
Much of the money will come in the form of a "special needs trust," according to the AP. The woman, Marlene Pinnock, has bipolar disorder and apparently was off her medication and wandering in traffic when the officer arrived. She told the AP that she thought the officer was trying to kill her.
And while Andrew resigning may be considered justice, I would be wary that he could be easily be rehired by some other law enforcement agency.
Here's the video for anybody who missed it in July:
