SAN JOSE - The San Jose police department faces accusations of wrongly killing a man who fled a traffic stop on his skateboard.
Bernadette Vallez and three children, for the estate of Fernando Arturo Alvarez IV, filed a federal complaint on August 17 in the Northern District of California against the City of San Jose and Does 1-10 for excessive force, unlawful detention and arrest, denial of medical care, deprivation of life without due process, interference with familial relationship, ratification and unconstitutional custom, practice or policy.
According to the complaint, on August 22, 2019, at about 2:40 a.m, officers initiated a traffic stop of Alverez.
Alverez allegedly fled on his skateboard and officers pursued him. Officers then allegedly used their vehicle to run Alverez over, which resulted in his death. Vallez alleges that after Alverez was run over, it was relevant that he was immobile and in obvious and critical need of emergency medical care and treatment and officers did not provide timely treatment.
Vallez and the multiple minors seek funeral expenses, punitive and statutory damages, interest, cost of suit and attorney's fees. Plaintiff's are represented by Jason O. Sias.