Woman Severely Injured in 2017 State and Providence Police I-95 Shooting Files Suit

Woman Severely Injured in 2017 State and Providence Police I-95 Shooting Files Suit

Christine Demers — the woman traveling with Joseph Santos, the man who drove to elude police in an infamous chase across Cranston and Providence in November of 2017 — has filed suit against the ten police officers involved in the shooting, the City of Providence, the State of Rhode Island and Providence Treasurer James Lombardi.

Santos was killed in the shooting, Demers was severely injured. The two were unarmed.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday criticizes the police for pursuing the wrong vehicle and for their reckless actions in a non-emergency situation.

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The seven-count suit seeks an undisclosed amount of damages.

Demers’ lawyer Georgi J. Vogel-Rosen told GoLocal on Wednesday that Demers has suffered more than $150,000 in medical expenses, lost a kidney, has severe scarring on her body and has been in constant pain to the shooting.

Video of the shooting by the officers was obtained by GoLocal the day of the shooting — WATCH HERE.

About Lawsuit

The 21-page lawsuit filed in Providence Superior Court late Wednesday alleges the following. 

“On the morning of November 9, 2017, police were searching for Daniel Morgan, a non-violent suspect believed to have fled in a white Ford F-150. Mr. Morgan allegedly had stolen a Rhode Island State Police car, which already had been recovered. A Cranston police officer attempted to pull over a different white Ford—a Ford F-350—driven by Ms. Demers’ boyfriend, Joseph Santos. Ms. Demers was a passenger. Ms. Demers and Mr. Santos had no connection to Mr. Morgan and were not involved in the suspected crime in any way; they were driving in a different white Ford,”

The lawsuit continues, “Demers was terrified as she realized that Defendants were discharging their firearms. Ms. Demers was shot by a bullet in her lower back on her right side. According to a report by the RISP Forensic Services Unit, the bullet that struck Plaintiff was discharged from a RISP-issued firearm. The bullet punctured Ms. Demers’ kidney, liver, and diaphragm. Ms. Demers has suffered extensive physical and emotional injuries and pain. She has endured multiple surgeries and blood transfusions. She has been hospitalized multiple times for lengthy periods. Ms. Demers previously had been physically active. She had been proud of her body. Now, in her late thirties, she struggles to climb stairs and walk short distances. She has substantial scarring on her back and abdomen. The scars are a constant reminder of her trauma. Ms. Demers has experienced significant and ongoing symptoms of post-traumatic stress, which health providers have causally related to the November 9, 2017 incident. She has incurred significant medical expenses and expects to incur additional expenses in the future."

In November, it will be three years since the incident. Vogel-Rosen told GoLocal, “With respect to your questions about timing, it's been investigating the matter, developing the claims and researching the issues. It required the review of thousands of pages of documents, even to review the origin of the bulletin that struck her. This is a complex matter and I did not want to file suit until I felt that the case was in the possible posture to do so.”

In 2018, a grand jury cleared both Providence and Rhode Island State Police in the shooting on I-95.

Then-Colonel Ann C. Assumpico, Superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, said at the time of the grand jury findings, “The Rhode Island State Police believes the Grand Jury made the right decision. The men and women of the Rhode Island State Police and the Providence Police Department did what they are trained to do – to protect the lives of innocent people who were in imminent danger that day.”

Demers suit concludes, "As a direct and proximate result of the joint and concerted negligent conduct by Defendants Cpl. Carlsten, Tpr. Hassett, Investigator McGloin, Sgt. Paolo, Maj. Perez, Lt. Trahan, Det. Cpl. Tilson, Officer Zincone, and Investigator Ziroli, Plaintiff was severely and permanently injured, has suffered and will in the future suffer great pain of body, nerves and nervous system, was rendered disabled, has suffered and will in the future suffer a loss of earning capacity, has expended and will in the future become liable to pay large sums of money for medical, hospital and other health care expenses, and Plaintiff was and is otherwise permanently injured."

Colonel James Manni of the RI State Police said, "The Rhode Island State Police has not yet been served a copy of the Complaint from Ms. Demers.  As such, it would be inappropriate to provide any response or comment at this time.”

This story was first published 8/12/20 6:14 PM