HOUSTON, TX – A 45-minute, five-mile-per-hour chase involving an 18-wheeler on the East Freeway has sparked a federal lawsuit against the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. The driver, Trinidad Cutchshaw, is seeking justice after charges against him were dismissed.
The chase began when deputies found Cutchshaw’s truck blocking traffic. Despite their commands, the truck moved at a slow pace until Cutchshaw was forcibly removed. Initially charged with felony evading arrest, the charge was later dropped.
Cutchshaw’s attorney, Garrett Gibbons, claims his client was experiencing septic shock from COVID-19, which left him unable to comply with orders. The lawsuit alleges excessive force was used, involving rubber bullets and tear gas, causing permanent injuries.
A federal judge has allowed the case to proceed, and it is now under review by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Gibbons suggests the case might reach the U.S. Supreme Court due to its significance.
The lawsuit, which seeks over $1 million, criticizes the deputies’ actions as “deplorable.” The sheriff’s office has not responded to inquiries about the case.
The decision from the appeals court could have a lasting impact on how law enforcement handles similar situations in the future.