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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

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Woman suing LAPD after fall from moving patrol car (Read the lawsuit here)

A judge has ruled that LAPD's relaxed policy on vehicle impounds conflicts with state law.

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A woman is suing the city of Los Angeles, the police department, and two officers, claiming she fell from a moving police car while handcuffed.

Kim Nguyen, 27, says officers arrested her on suspicion of public intoxication in Koreatown last March but didn't secure her with a seat belt. Nguyen says the police not securing her caused her to suffer "loss of earning capacity," according to the lawsuit.

She tells NBC4 her jaw was broken, and she suffers from head injuries after being in a coma for days. According to the suit, it's expected that Nguyen's medical needs will continue into the future.

From NBC4:

A Fire Department report showed that officers claimed she fell after the patrol car stopped at a light and began accelerating. A security camera video apparently contradicts that account, [Nguyen's attorney Arnoldo] Casillas said.

"The video shows that the statement that the police officers gave the paramedics is an unabashed, unequivocal lie," Casillas said. "The light's green. They do not stop."

LAPD officials declined to comment, saying the department doesn't discuss ongoing litigation.

Amended Complaint by scprweb

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This story has been updated.

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