Woman Tased by Stow Police Awarded $100,000 Settlement
Stow officials deny Chelsea Garrett's public statements that she was a victim of police brutality.
Photos
Pdfs
On Wednesday, Stow Mayor Sara Drew issued a statement disputing the accuracy of a recent news segment about a 23-year-old Akron woman who sued the city after being tased by Stow police.
In the news report, released earlier this week by a local media outlet, Chelsea Garrett said she was the victim of police brutality when officers tased, handcuffed and arrested her after she almost clipped a police cruiser while driving.
With her lawyer present during the TV interview, Garrett argued she was suffering from diabetic blackouts at the time of the Nov. 2011 incident, which caused erratic driving and inhibited her from following police commands.
The city presented a different version of the events in its press release:
"The day Ms. Garrett was taken into custody by the Stow Police Department, she was involved in a hit-skip accident on State Route 8 in Akron. After leaving the scene of that accident without stopping, she drove to Stow and as shown on the police dashboard camera, came within a few feet of striking a Stow police cruiser head on."
Click here for the Stow police dashboard video
Following the incident, Garrett pled guilty to wreckless driving, then filed a $250,000 lawsuit against the city in U.S. District Court. Last May, the city offered her $10,000 to settle and she refused.
On Jan. 11, Stow's insurance carrier agreed to settle the lawsuit for $100,000.
"This matter was internally reviewed by the Stow Use of Force Committee who found the officer’s actions within policy," according to the city's press release. "The City of Stow stands by the actions of the police department and officer. The settlement was negotiated by the City’s insurance carrier, not the City of Stow. It is not an admission of liability."
Dev
8:28 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
She should not be allowed to drive if her "diabetic blackouts" impact her ability to control her vehicle and behavior. She is aware of the condition and knows how to monitor/treat it. This incident is a result of complete lack of personal responsibility and self control.
When I'm sick/sleepy/not able to drive I don’t… or get a cab/someone to drive me.
I've noticed may people have similar reaction when exposed to CH3-CH2-OH .. a commonly available chemical.
They are not able to process large amounts of the stuff w/o having similar behavior and driving problems . Do you think her lawyer can get them off and walk of with a $100K tax payer funded "PAYDAY" ?
Stowbilly
6:14 am on Friday, February 15, 2013
I agree with your statement! We ask these men and women to put their lives on the line for us never knowing what they will run into. Please decide in the 3 seconds you see me if I am on drugs or have a weapon. I tased you well at least we all go home tonight! She was a hit skip in Akron, almost hit a cruiser head on and we give her $100,000. I hope the person she hit in Akron sues her and gets at least half! Good job Stow PD please continue to protect our families from people who brake the law!
Douglas Wernicke
8:38 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Just think if she had killed someone, she could have gotten a million dollars. I think Stow needs a new insurance carrier.
Derp Spotter
12:05 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
"I think Stow needs a new insurance carrier."
Missed the point. This is common for ANY insurance carrier -- to simply settle and be done with it.
Geoffrey Watson
9:05 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Did they test her for drugs or alcohol? She could have been under the influence.
The logical realist
10:12 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Diabetic blackouts? She is more likely to kill someone than a drunk driver and instead of her license being revoked permanently she is awarded 100k? What bleeding heart idiot aloowed that?
BULLDOG
10:30 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
WHY would you pay for the action of the police that are doing there jobs when they did nothing wrong?
Randy Fasnacht
10:58 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
I agree with everyone else here. Stow should not have settled. I know it would have cost more in lawyers fees, etc. but standing up for what is right and for your officer who acted according to guidelines is more important.
Randy Fasnacht
11:00 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Oh, and she did injure a woman and a baby in an accident she had prior to almost sideswiping the police cruiser.
Derp Spotter
12:04 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
Stow did not settle. The insurance company did.
FJH
11:22 am on Thursday, February 14, 2013
I don't Know,. I think those two Officers could have handled her ( 90 LBS) without the Tasers....She did not look like she was trying to hurt the Officers... Just cuff her and stuff her...If she truly was sick I have sympathy for her...I agree with removing her driving privileges though...
Ed Fisher
3:44 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
Police brutality ? Let's see......250 pound man.....97 pound woman. He punched her in the chest, knocking her to the ground. Then, tasered her 3 times ! "Stow Use of Force Committee" ? All cops, looking out for each other. I am tired of cops acting like bullies. But, of course, even after watching the abuse on dash-cam, there are those who will say she deserved what she got. Hopefully, none of us will become ill or incapacitated in the presence of that cop.
Rita Cox
8:59 pm on Thursday, February 14, 2013
I do not agree with the settlement amount....could she have had a diabetic reaction, yes, it happens....working in the medical field I also know diabetic reactions can be significant. If she truly had a diabetic incident then the officers action may have been justified. I have seen 90 lb women back flip several 200 lb males trying to subdue them.....the reactions mimic those on meth or crack...the insulin/adrenaline response is very similar....to say the officers used "excess" force may well be an exaggeration.... The bottom line is this, if she truly was driving in a non controlled, "blackout anything" condition then they by rights could cite her. A diabetic knows they can have such issues and SHOULD have used better judgement BEFORE they had such a problem....I have celiac disease and know what I can and can't eat, if I eat something I shouldn't I suffer the consiquenses....so should she!!
Derp Spotter
12:03 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
I see this stupid broad continues to show everyone just how stupid she is. Clearly her -- and her just-as-clueless attorney -- don't know what "non-disclosure agreement" means.
She -- and her attorney -- are just pieces of trash trying to go to the media and portray the police are big meanies. When SHE put hundreds of others in danger with HER actions. Loser.
stow1
1:08 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
s