Black driver sues police over traffic stop arrest

A Black driver has filed a lawsuit against the city of Rockford over a traffic stop arrest from March 2019.

Footage from the dashcam shows the incident involving Thurman King and Rockford Police Officer Zachary Abbate.

King's attorney Stephen Drew says the officer claimed King's license plate light was out and that he ran a stop sign.

However, footage from the dashcam shows King stopped at the stop sign.

The video does not clearly show the license plate light.

King says he was half a block from home and did not want to stop in an isolated area, so he pulled into his driveway.

Abbate told him why he was pulled over and accused King of smelling like marijuana.

Video shows King attempting to go inside, Abbate grabbing his arm and then a struggle between the two until Abbate tackled King to the ground.

King was detained for 14 hours and submitted a blood test which came back negative for alcohol.

No charges were filed.

View the full story on WOOD TV


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