DETROIT (WWJ) - A $12 million settlement has been reached between Michigan State Police and the family of a Detroit teenager who died after he was hit by a Taser while riding an ATV.
Federal court documents say the settlement between Damon Grimes' family and Michigan State Police was finalized last week and approved by a federal judge on Friday.
Grimes' mother will receive $7.3 million, his two sisters will each receive $250,000, and the Fieger law firm, which represented the family, will receive just over $4 million under the deal.
Grimes crashed his ATV into a pickup truck and died on August 26, 2017 after he was struck with a Taser that was fired by Michigan State Police Trooper Mark Bessner, who was in a moving police car.
Police say troopers were trying to stop Grimes for reckless driving, but the teen refused to stop. Troopers were pursing after Grimes with their lights and siren activated, according to police, when Bessner fired his Taser. Bessner said he believed the teen had a gun, feared for this life and was forced to make a split-second decision when Grimes refused to stop. As it turned out, Grimes was unarmed. After the crash, Grimes was transported to a hospital where he died.
Bessner was charged with second degree murder, and convicted on a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter. He's currently serving five to 15 years in prison. His earliest release date is March 4, 2024.
