Westport Police Officer Sued By Motorcyclist Who Crashed Into Cruiser [VIDEO]

WESTPORT - A lawsuit has been filed against a Westport police officer in connection to a motorcycle crash last August.

Attorney Howard Friedman has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of 31-year-old Derek Pereira against Westport Police Officer Jarrod Levesque.

The suit claims that Levesque set up a dangerous and unauthorized road block on Route 6 eastbound in the early morning hours of August 22, 2016, while another officer's attempt to stop Pereira while he was speeding on his motorcycle failed. Pereira's license had been suspended and the motorcycle was not registered or insured.

Attorney Friedman tells WBSM News video clearly shows Officer Levesque used his police SUV to block most of the lanes of the highway, a tactic he did not receive authorization to use. "And as the motorcycle is heading towards him in the right lane, you can see he's moving his police SUV into the right lane," Attorney Friedman explains. "So the motorcycle obviously wants to avoid getting hit by the vehicle, so he starts to move the other way but there's not enough time to stop.

Pereira's motorcycle collided with the rear passenger panel of the SUV, causing substantial injuries including collapsed lungs, a punctured lung, and fractures to his spine.

The suit is seeking unspecified monetary damages.

Pereira's hospital bills totalled over $100,000.