Santa Ana Police Sued By Family Of Man Killed After Stolen Car Chase
SANTA ANA (AP) — The family of a man killed by Santa Ana police after a stolen car chase has sued the department for excessive force.
The Orange County Register says the federal suit contends Jason Hallstrom was unarmed and posed no threat when he was shot in March of last year.
The newspaper reported Friday that police officials didn't comment on the lawsuit.
The shooting followed a freeway chase involving a stolen Nissan, which ended when the vehicle crashed at a Santa Ana intersection and two men fled.
Hallstrom, the passenger, was killed. The driver, Travis Mock, was wounded and has pleaded not guilty to unlawfully taking a vehicle and other charges.
The county district attorney's office declined to file criminal charges against the officers, concluding their actions were reasonable and justified.
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