Originally Posted by E. Bryant
Acceptable use of deadly force to stop a fleeing felon?
That's a pretty good answer. In Michigan I would probably argue that.
While I agree that there are a number of ways the driver's actions could be justified, or even fought on legal grounds, the unfortunate fact is, that even when they are right, many officers (or citizens) get sued regardless of how justified their actions were.
Many (if not most) departments weigh the cost/benefit of fighting a case, and often decide it is cheaper to pay off the plaintiff rather than fighting the case. That always leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the person who made the correct decision at the time, because they feel sold out, and like their department didn't back them up (because it didn't).
I sincerely hope it all works out well for the driver of the truck.