Virginia cop quits after he was caught on camera Tasering and pepper spraying a 'stroke victim'
David Washington drove over a median, hit a sign, then hit a Jeep on May 4
Cpt. Matt Deschenes and Sgt. Crystal Hill with Fredericksburg police had their guns aimed Washington and yelled at him to get out of the car
Officer Shaun Jurgens arrives with his gun out, before later taking out his Taser, and using it on Washington
It appears to not work, and Jurgens soon pepper sprays Washington
Washington is dragged out of his car and handcuffed
It has been reported Washington suffered a massive stroke
Cpt. Rick Pennock said 'The use of force demonstrated in the incident involving Mr. Washington was not in compliance with department policy or training'
Published: 12:04 EST, 23 May 2015 | Updated: 17:41 EST, 23 May 2015
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A police officer in Fredericksburg, Virginia, used a Taser and pepper spray May 4 on a man believed to have earlier suffered a stroke.
A Hyundai drove over a median, hit a sign, then hit a Jeep that day, police there told WTVR. The Hyundai was followed by the Jeep to an intersection where police showed up, authorities said.
Three separate videos have been released, showing body camera footage from Cpl. Matt Deschenes, Sgt. Crystal Hill, and Officer Shaun Jurgens in the incident involving Hyundai driver David Washington.
Jurgens resigned from his post May 14, according to reports.
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Officers: Footage from Sgt. Crystal Hill's body camera shows her and Cpl. Matt Deschenes pointing at David Washington while he is in the Hyundai
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Incident: Officer Shaun Jurgens can be seen using the Taser (left) and the pepper spray (right) in footage from Hill's body camera
Officer Jurgens' body cam shows him tasering 'stroke victim'
Capt. Rick Pennock said in a statement 'The use of force demonstrated in the incident involving Mr. Washington was not in compliance with department policy or training.
'We take matters such as these very seriously and require that officers at all times exercise appropriate restraint and good judgment in their dealings with citizens.'
The footage shows Hill and Deschenes are the first to arrive.
They point their guns at Washington and yell at him to get out of the car. Washington fails to do so.
Video shows Jurgens arrives with his gun out and aimed at Washington. He later takes out his Taser, and uses it on Washington.
An officer is heard saying he doesn't believe the Taser made the connection with the driver. Jurgens then pepper sprays Washington in the face.
Washington is dragged out of the car, and officers soon handcuff him.
'I can't breathe,' Washington says in the footage.
Camera: Officer Shaun Jurgen's body camera captures him using the Taser on David Washington
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Force: David Washington is seen being pepper sprayed by Jurgens
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Handcuffed: Officers drag Washington out of the car, and he is soon handcuffed. Washington says in the footage 'I've been sick for a week.' It's been reported he suffered a massive stroke
Cops taser 'stroke victim' as seen from Sgt Hill's body cam
Washington tells officers 'I've been sick for a week' but he 'doesn't know' what it is.
Jurgens says 'Alright man, I got you. Just relax,' and has Washington lean against him while Washington sits on the ground.
Washington says he hasn't been drinking when he is questioned by police over beer they find in the Hyundai.
According to WTVR, police cannot under department policy Taser those 'who are passively resisting' nor those who'are in physical control of a vehicle in motion.'
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On the road: Washington, police have said, drove over a median, hit a sign, then hit a Jeep that day before the incident involving police
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Resignation: Officer Shaun Jurgen, pictured, resigned from his post on May 14. He has said 'I believed that immediate action needed to be taken due to several factors in the current circumstances'
In a statement issued to the Fredericksburg Freelance-Star, Jurgens said 'I believed that immediate action needed to be taken due to several factors in the current circumstances.'
Jurgens said Deschenes had no cover and that Washington moved around in the Hyundai, leading him to think there could be a weapon.
Jurgens said he was afraid because the incident took place on a road with rush hour traffic, and because the incident took place in an elementary school zone.
Jurgens stated he 'believed that the suspect was under the influence of mind-altering substances and was thus more prone to irrational behavior.'
Washington, according to WTOP, is recovering and now out of the hospital.
According to reports, Washington is facing property damage, hit-and-run, driving on a revoked or suspended license, and reckless driving charges.
Cpl Deschenes' body cam: Cops taser, spray 'stroke victim'
But, yeah, they don't "need" any medical training or some basic understanding of physical or mental conditions. Just taser everyone who isn't acting quite right.
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