POLAND Village man files lawsuit

The suit alleges acts of excessive use of force by police.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- A village man is suing a village police officer and officials for $5 million after what he says was abusive treatment during a traffic stop more than a year ago.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio Eastern Division, says Donald Bucci, 424 S. Main St., was pulled over on a charge of driving with a suspended license in October 2001 by officer Patrick Klingensmith.
Bucci was handcuffed, placed in the back of a police car and his car searched.
After he was handcuffed and placed in the police car, the suit says, Klingensmith slammed the door striking Bucci on the arm and dislocating his right elbow.
An ambulance was called, and Bucci was taken to the hospital. Bucci says that while he was en route to the hospital, Klingensmith handcuffed him to the ambulance. The suit says he also was handcuffed to a hospital bed.
Before being treated by a doctor, Bucci asked that his father be called to sit in while he was put under anesthesia, but that request was ignored, the suit says.
The suit says that Bucci also asked to use the restroom but was denied and that he wet his pants while under anesthesia.
Posted bond
Bucci later was taken to the village police department and released after posting bond.
The suit says Bucci suffers from muscular dystrophy but was able to perform daily tasks before the encounter. He now suffers from physical pain, emotional distress and mental anguish, and he is unable to perform everyday tasks, the suit continues.
The suit also says Bucci and Klingensmith have had several verbal fights in the years before the arrest. The village, however, says Bucci had verbally attacked the officer.
The village has denied Bucci's claims of excessive use of force by Klingensmith. The village acknowledges Bucci was arrested, his car searched, and that he was taken to the hospital. The village also says he was ultimately released after posting bond.
jgoodwin@vindy.com