For the second time in two years, Connecticut police left a Black man paralyzed from the neck down, aggravating his spinal injury by dragging him across the ground and failing to provide proper care.
The first incident resulted in a $45 million settlement for Randy Cox — considered the largest police-misconduct settlement in U.S. history — after a “rough ride” in the back of a New Haven police van fractured the 36-year-old man’s spine in 2022.
Earlier this month, attorneys filed a federal lawsuit against several Waterford police officers, demanding $50 million for allegedly leaving Donovan Beard paralyzed from the neck down and requiring lifelong care.
An Unforgettable Crash
Beard was 18 and riding his dirt bike when police blocked his path, causing him to crash headfirst into a police cruiser, the claim states.
The lawsuit, filed by his mother, Erin Beard, states that Waterford police knew the teen had mental illness and the “mental age of a 12-year-old child.”
“Donovan would be walking today had officers applied universally accepted de-escalation techniques and rendered basic first aid,” said attorney Paul Slager of the Connecticut-based Slager Madry law firm.
“Officers should have ensured Donovan’s neck was protected and called for medical assistance.”
“Instead, they tased and dragged him, then aggressively jostled him. No one should be surprised this caused catastrophic injuries,” Slager continued in a press release.
The lawsuit names Waterford police officers Nicholas Genung, Stephen J. Rogers, John Bunce III, Ian Donovan, Andrew Reed, Matthew Fedor and Jake Arlin as defendants, along with the town of Waterford.
Description below of events of fateful day are as described in plaintiff’s complaint.
‘You’re Going to Get Tased’
Waterford police began pursuing Beard on his dirt bike on September 8, 2024, after he rode past officers during an unrelated traffic stop.
“As Donovan rode by on his bike, he made a gesture in Defendants’ direction with his arm or hand,” the complaint states.
“Donovan did not strike or otherwise make contact with any officer or any vehicle.”
But the gesture prompted Officer Rogers to pursue Beard in his patrol car for about a quarter mile before ending the pursuit. The lawsuit says Rogers knew Beard had outstanding failure-to-appear warrants.
Rogers then drove to a residence where Beard’s friend lived, knowing Beard would likely be there. Officer Genung also arrived at the residence with his police dog.
Beard had gotten off his bike and was talking to his friend when police arrived with flashing lights, so he got back on the bike and attempted to leave, according to the complaint.
Rogers then drew his .45-caliber gun, pointed it at Beard and ordered him to “STOP THE BIKE! STOP THE BIKE NOW!”
Meanwhile, Genung got out of his patrol car with the K-9 as Beard rode slowly along the residence’s front driveway.
“Donovan, police with a canine! STOP OR YOU’RE GONNA GET BIT!” Genung yelled, according to the complaint.
Beard rode past Rogers, who had reholstered his gun and pulled out his Taser, yelling, “YOU’RE GOING TO GET TASED!”
Genung then allegedly stepped directly into the dirt bike’s path with the police dog and shoved Beard off the bike as he rode past, causing the teen to crash into the front end of Genung’s patrol car.
‘I’m Dying’
After the collision, Beard lay motionless, face down on the ground and bled profusely from his head.
“While Donovan lay motionless and defenseless, face down on the ground, Rogers deployed his taser into Donovan’s back,” the complaint states.
“Rogers continued to scream at Donovan, even as he lay still with the taser prongs embedded in his back. Rogers wrenched Donovan’s left arm behind his back, cursing and threatening Donovan: ‘give me your F–KIN’ HAND!’; ‘you’re gonna get it [the taser] again if you do ANYTHING!’”
Beard told officers he could not move and repeatedly said, “I’m dying.”
Officers then handcuffed Beard and dragged him across the driveway, the lawsuit states.
The other defendant officers arrived and allegedly refused to help Beard, mocking him instead.
“None of them stabilized his head or neck, called for immediate cervical-spine immobilization, or intervened to stop the ongoing manipulation of his body,” the complaint states.
“Instead, Defendants laughed and made jokes while Donovan lay powerless, injured, and scared.”
The injuries left Beard confined to a wheelchair and requiring “total assistance for all activities of daily living, catheter management, bowel care, and continuous medication management,” according to the complaint. He also suffers ongoing complications, including spasticity, autonomic dysfunction, pressure injuries and recurrent infections.
The lawsuit accuses the officers of excessive force, denial of medical treatment, negligence, assault, battery, recklessness and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It also accuses the town of Waterford of negligent training.
“Donovan posed no threat and was placed in a terrifying situation unnecessarily. We look forward to finding justice for him,” said attorney Joaquin Madry in the press release.
“Our goal is to help provide financial resources for Donovan’s future care, and prevent other similar destructive police interactions affecting others,” added attorney Jillian Orticelli.
Beard’s mother has an active GoFundMe.
