A Louisiana trucker is suing Harris County and 13 deputies after a slow-speed chase in December 2023 led to what he claims was excessive force when officers pulled him from his semi on Houston’s I-10 East Freeway.
What happened: Trinidad Cutshall says he was driving his 18-wheeler while suffering a medical emergency from sepsis. He claims he blacked out and did not realize police were following him for about an hour at just 5 mph.
- SWAT officers used a battering ram to remove him from the cab.
- Cutshall says he was bitten by a police dog, punched, sprayed with tear gas, and hit with rubber bullets after being pulled from the truck.
- His lawyer says he had no weapons, wasn’t a threat, and needed medical help. “He had a medical condition that caused him to completely black out,” said attorney Garrett Gibbins. “He had no idea he was being pursued.”
The charges: Cutshall was arrested and charged with evading arrest, but that case was dropped when prosecutors saw medical records showing his severe illness, according to ABC13.
The lawsuit: The suit accuses deputies of brutality, calling their actions “evil, wicked, and vile.” It has survived a motion to dismiss and will continue in court. Cutshall’s side says they want millions in damages and retraining for deputies. Harris County says Cutshall did not follow commands and that any injuries were his own fault.
A judge ruled in early September that the lawsuit can move forward against most of the deputies and the county.