Disabled Man’s Lawsuit Alleges NC Trooper Used Excessive Force After Crash

A North Carolina state trooper is facing a lawsuit after a shocking incident involving a man suffering an epileptic seizure while driving. State Trooper Ashley Smith, frustrated by the man’s lack of compliance during the seizure, allegedly punched him in the face and dragged him across rocky terrain before handcuffing him on fabricated charges.The plaintiff, 46-year-old Thomas Simmons, a former mental health specialist, contends Smith violated his Fourth Amendment rights by employing excessive force, conducting an unreasonable seizure, and falsely claiming probable cause for the arrest. The lawsuit, filed on September 23, highlights systemic issues within law enforcement when engaging with individuals experiencing medical emergencies.This alarming case aligns with further reported abuses, pinpointing a pattern of misconduct among officers. While dash and body camera footage captures the event from various perspectives, North Carolina law precludes public access to these recordings, prompting calls for reform in handling vulnerable individuals.