Family of drunken man left at Taco Bell, killed by car sues Ohio cops, claims discrimination
1/19/2014CINCINNATI — The family of a drunken man picked up by Ohio police officers and dropped off at a Taco Bell before he was hit by a car has sued authorities over his death.
The family of 22-year-old Uriel Juarez-Popoca says in a lawsuit filed Jan. 8 that the Delaware County sheriff’s office, several deputies and a state patrolman discriminated against him because he’s Mexican.
The patrolman’s attorney calls the discrimination allegations ludicrous and says the officers gave Juarez-Popoca “a major break” by letting him go. The sheriff’s office hasn’t commented.
Deputies found Juarez-Popoca drunk in his truck July 28, 2012, drove him to a Taco Bell 5 miles away and left him there.
Soon after, he was hit by a car while walking along a nearby four-lane highway.