DETROIT (WWJ) -- Fieger Law has announced a $50 million federal lawsuit against the City of Detroit, the Detroit Police Department and former officer Juwan Brown, accusing Brown of police brutality in the death of Daryl Vance.
The 70-year-old Vance died weeks after an altercation with Brown, outside the Garden Bowl in Midtown, on Sept. 1 of last year.
The suit claims Brown, who has since been fired from the DPD, was seen on video punching Vance in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement.
Vance was taken to a hospital where he died on Sept. 21, after being on life support for 20 days. The Wayne County Medical Examiner found that Vance’s death was caused by blunt force trauma to his head from the punch.
The law firm described what happened this way: "Officer Brown is clearly seen on video escalating the situation with Mr. Vance and without any justification punched Vance in the face causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement. The fall caused irreparable and fatal brain damage. He also failed to provide any basic first aid when Vance laid on the ground not breathing. In this scenario, 'bystander' CPR, i.e., chest compressions, would have prevented the catastrophic injuries leading to his death."
A 15-year felony charge of manslaughter was filed by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office against Brown, but it was later dismissed.
“Police brutality has no place in our society. What Former Officer Brown did to Mr. Vance was nothing short of reckless and malicious police brutality.” said James Harrington, Vice President and Managing Partner of Fieger Law, in a statement. “Brown’s shameful conduct on the video is a disgrace to the community that he was sworn to protect and serve.”