Western New York Man Hit by Police Cruiser Sues for $7 Million

A western New York man struck by a Rochester police cruiser earlier this year has filed a $7 million lawsuit against the department.

The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported that 24-year-old Brian Norford claims in the lawsuit that police used excessive force when the cruiser rammed into him on a sidewalk in February.

Court documents say the Rochester man suffered scarring and permanent disfigurement as a result.

Police have said they were responding to a call for men selling drugs and when they approached Norford, he took off and dropped a handgun during a foot chase. Authorities say Norford was charged with a weapons offense and later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

The city and some officers are also defendants in the lawsuit.

The department declined to comment.