Latest news with #StephenPaper
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
City denies fault in LAPD crash that left brothers with severe injuries — despite internal report
The Brief An internal LAPD investigation found one of their officers at fault for a crash that severely injured two brothers in Encino-- but now the City of LA is denying fault and saying the men weren't even injured. The crash, which happened last June, was caught on dashcam. The LAPD officer was driving at speeds of 80 MPH in a 45 MPH zone, with no lights or sirens. LOS ANGELES - Two brothers suffered life-changing injuries in a crash caused by an LAPD officer going nearly double the speed limit. Now they're fighting the city after LA refused any responsibility. What we know The crash happened on June 4, 2024, at the intersection of Balboa and Burbank in Encino. According to the attorney of the victims, brothers Stephen and Richard Paper, on-duty LAPD officer Jason Stevenson drove 80 miles per hour—well in excess of the posted speed limit—without his lights or sirens on, and crashed into Paper's car as they were making a left turn. The entire incident was caught on LAPD's dashcam. The brothers spent months in the hospital; they suffered fractured skulls, brain bleeds, and fractured spines. Richard was left in a coma for several days. Their attorney, Robert Glassman, said LAPD's internal investigation found officer Stevenson at fault, citing unsafe speed and reckless driving. Now, nearly a year later, Glassman said City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto is fighting their lawsuit and disputing their injuries. What they're saying "You can see the carnage and destruction that was done to their car and to them. Just recently, the City of LA officially gave us their response under the penalty of perjury in court documents saying not only are we not at fault for causing this crash, your guys aren't even hurt, they're not even damaged," Glassman told FOX 11. "They're crazy. I mean they should look at the car. They should watch me walk," Stephen said. The brothers are 76 and 74-years-old. "I've been in rehab ever since I left the hospital," Richard added. Glassman is slamming Feldstein Soto, asking a court to sanction her because he claims she committed perjury for denying evidence. He also said she has a conflict of interest because she has been pushing state legislators to pass a law indemnifying cities from personal injury lawsuits. FOX 11 reached out to the city attorney's office; they responded by saying they 'do not comment on pending litigation'.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- CBS News
Los Angeles faces bitter lawsuit after officer severely injured two brothers in crash
Two brothers face an uphill battle after an officer from the Los Angeles Police Department slammed into their car while driving well above the speed limit. The collision happened on June 4, 2024, in the 5600 block of N. Balboa Boulevard. Video from the officer's dash camera showed him traveling 80 mph in a 40 mph zone shortly before crashing into the victims. The violent crash trapped Stephen and Richard Paper, 74 and 76, inside their cars. After rescuing them, the Los Angeles Fire Department took them to the hospital in a critical condition. The brothers' injuries required a months-long stay in the hospital. The LAPD investigation determined that the officer caused the crash and that his "speed was at fault for this crash." However, during a deposition, the officer refused to admit he was speeding or that he caused the crash. The officer was part of a street racing task force from the department's Valley Traffic Division. He did not have his lights and sirens activated at the time of the crash, according to the LAPD. Attorneys for the Paper brothers said the officer invoked his Fifth Amendment right 60 times when asked about anything related to the collision, including how fast he was driving. Two months after the crash, they filed a lawsuit against the city and have been locked in a bitter legal battle ever since. The brothers' attorney claims they have not reached a settlement and believes the city attorney has an ulterior motive. "The LA City Attorney is currently going up to Sacramento trying to propose legislation that would change the law in California, to immunize public entities like the city of LA in civil lawsuits," attorney Robert Glassman said. "She's up there shopping around a bill that would cap damages in cases." The bill Glassman mentioned would cap payments related to pain and suffering at either three times the monetary value assigned to the itemized hospital bills or $1 million. The bill is similar to laws in 38 other states. The LA City Attorney's Office said they do not comment on pending litigation but provided a copy of the proposal to the state legislature.
