(US MEDIA GROUP) – A former professional basketball player, Dakarai Allen, has filed a lawsuit against the City of Elk Grove and four police officers for alleged excessive force, claiming it ended his career.
According to the lawsuit filed on July 22, 29-year-old Allen was approached by Elk Grove police officers in 2022 while he was asleep in his car. The incident occurred after Allen had attended a work event and had consumed two glasses of wine. He parked in front of a neighbor’s home and fell asleep in his vehicle.
The lawsuit alleges that several officers arrived at the scene and aggressively pulled a disoriented Allen out of his car. He was then allegedly pushed against the car, arrested, and slammed to the ground. While on the ground, Allen claims he was subjected to two forceful baton strikes to his right leg, resulting in three fractures.
Allen, who previously played for San Diego State University and the NBA’s G League Ignite in Walnut Creek, claims that the injuries sustained from the incident have ended his professional basketball career.
According to his legal team, “The severe knee injury has left him unable to perform essential movements required for his profession, such as running, jumping, and standing on his feet for too long.”
Allen’s legal team also mentioned that he did not pose a threat to the officers or anyone in the neighborhood and that the alleged use of excessive force was unwarranted.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for the violations of Allen’s constitutional rights and excessive force by Elk Grove police officers. The City of Elk Grove has not yet commented on the lawsuit.