Chicopee Man's Legal Battle Against State Police After Dirt Bike Incident

A seemingly ordinary summer afternoon in Springfield took a dramatic and life-altering turn for Michael DeJesus, a resident of Chicopee. He's now seeking justice, taking the Massachusetts State Police to court in a lawsuit that alleges a range of serious misconduct, from negligence and battery to civil rights violations and outright assault and battery, stemming from a July 2022 incident.

The whole ordeal, as detailed in the lawsuit filed in Hampden Superior Court, unfolded on July 3, 2022. DeJesus, by his own admission, was out riding his dirt bike. Now, it's worth noting upfront that the bike wasn't registered or insured at the time, which certainly adds a layer to the situation. However, what happened next, according to DeJesus and his legal team, goes far beyond a simple motor vehicle infraction.

DeJesus claims that state troopers, without any legitimate cause, initiated a pursuit. Can you imagine the sudden shift from a casual ride to being chased? The lawsuit specifically names Trooper Stephen Rockwood as one of the officers involved, alleging that he, or another unnamed trooper, actually made physical contact with DeJesus's dirt bike. This alleged contact, the suit contends, directly caused DeJesus to crash.

And the consequences of that crash were severe. DeJesus reportedly suffered significant injuries, including broken bones and nasty lacerations. But the ordeal didn't end there. Following the crash, he was arrested and subsequently faced a slew of criminal charges, among them the very serious allegation of assault and battery on a police officer. It paints a pretty grim picture, doesn't it?

However, and this is a truly pivotal detail that underpins his current civil suit, all of those criminal charges against DeJesus were eventually dropped. That happened in October of last year, 2023. It’s a moment that surely felt like a significant vindication, removing the shadow of criminal prosecution and bolstering his claim that the initial actions taken by the police were unwarranted.

DeJesus's legal representation is arguing that the actions of the troopers directly caused his injuries and subsequent distress. They're highlighting an important point: Massachusetts State Police policy generally discourages and even prohibits the pursuit of dirt bikes or ATVs unless there's a serious felony involved. The lawsuit implies that no such serious crime was occurring at the time, making the pursuit itself, and especially any physical contact leading to the crash, a clear breach of protocol.

The lawsuit isn't just a claim against an individual; it names the Massachusetts State Police as an entity, along with Trooper Stephen Rockwood and several other unnamed troopers involved in the incident. DeJesus isn't just looking for an acknowledgement of wrongdoing; he's seeking unspecified monetary damages to compensate him for the pain, suffering, medical expenses, and the broader impact this incident has had on his life.

This case really shines a light on the often complex and sometimes contentious interactions between citizens and law enforcement. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of accountability, and as DeJesus seeks justice, many will be watching to see how this significant legal battle unfolds.