WARREN (WWJ) – The family of Tyler Wade, a 17-year-old boy allegedly beaten and stomped on by Warren police during a traffic stop after a police chase in June, is filing a $20 million lawsuit against the department.
The lawsuit, filed by the Cochran Firm of Detroit, claims officers used excessive force and violated Wade’s rights under the Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments under the U.S. Constitution.
Wade, of Detroit, was originally charged with third-degree fleeing and eluding, a weapons violation and a drug charge after he was arrested by Warren officers on June 2 in Ferndale.
Attorney James King showed never-before-seen videos of Wade’s arrest at a press conference on Wednesday. Footage from dash cams and body cameras shows officers dragging Wade out of his vehicle while he has his hands up.
Wade is then punched multiple times and kicked and stomped while on the ground. Footage shows one officer punching him nine times, while another officer kicks him and another stomps on his legs.
Six officers are named in the 10-page lawsuit, which says officers approached Wade’s car with their weapons drawn and proceeded to “aggressively yank” on Wade’s arms until they were able to pull him from the vehicle.
Exact details on what led officers to initially pursue Wade are not entirely clear.
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During Wednesday’s press conference Wade and King detailed the injuries he suffered as a result of the incident, which included a concussion, blurry vision, constant headaches and cuts to his face. He said his braces were also knocked off his teeth.
Wade said the incident left him fearing police.
“Because of the whole situation, I’ve been traumatized,” he said. “I’m scared to go places. I don’t even like to leave the house anymore, to be honest.”
“You don’t know what’s going to happen to you,” his mother, Bianca Wade, said. “You don’t know if this is the last time you’re gonna see your mom, your brothers, your sisters, your aunts, the ones you love. Because the person who’s supposed to protect you [are] the ones hurting you.”
The family and attorneys are demanding the officers involved be fired and that a public apology be issued.
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