SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Anthony Huff-McKay, a 24-year-old Tacoma resident, today filed a lawsuit against the City of Tacoma following a distressing incident where he was run over and severely injured by a patrol vehicle driven by Tacoma Police Officer Khan Phan.
According to Austin Neff, an attorney with Osborn Machler who filed the suit on behalf of Huff-McKay, the legal action underscores significant concerns regarding police conduct and emphasizes the urgent need for systemic changes in law enforcement training and accountability.
Huff-McKay was near an informal car event in downtown Tacoma on January 23, 2021, when he became a victim of what his attorney describes as "grossly negligent and recklessly dangerous" behavior by Officer Phan.
The suit claims the car meet attendees gathered in an intersection and tensions rose as Phan attempted to push through the crowd of pedestrians using his patrol car. The complaint states that instead of reversing his vehicle and de-escalating the situation, Phan accelerated through the crowd, hitting multiple individuals, and running over Huff-McKay with the wheels of his patrol car.
As a direct result of Phan’s conduct, Huff-McKay suffered catastrophic bodily injuries, including broken ribs, a torn ACL and meniscus, a partially collapsed lung and wounds to his abdomen, feet and hands.
Neff expressed outrage and concern over the actions of Officer Phan. “This case is a stark reminder of the grave consequences of inadequate police training and accountability. It’s a situation where a public servant, sworn to protect, instead inflicted harm on those he was duty-bound to protect.”
Neff emphasized that the incident not only reflects Officer Phan’s individual actions but also points to a broader issue within the Tacoma Police Department regarding training and use of force. He argues that such incidents are preventable with proper instruction and testing of appropriate procedures, which are currently lacking.
Huff-McKay says that Officer Phan’s actions have caused him a great deal of stress, trauma and ongoing physical disability and pain causing difficulties in everyday life.
Recounting the traumatic experience, Huff-McKay said, “As the patrol car hit me, I was overwhelmed by a fear for my life. That memory haunts me continually, impacting my daily life.”
“It comes down to this,” Neff said, “Officer Phan chose to use deadly force against a crowd of unarmed pedestrians. That decision forever changed Mr. Huff-McKay’s life.”
The suit seeks a jury trial and monetary damages awarded by the jury to compensate Huff-McKay for the anguish that Officer Phan has caused.
The case was filed in Pierce County Superior Court on January 19, 2024. Trial is set for July 17, 2025.
Case number 24-2-05414-1.