A 62-year-old Palmdale man is suing Los Angeles County, alleging that he was accidentally struck in the head by a projectile fired from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station while he was driving along Sierra Highway last year.
Birch Wellington Pender‘s Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit alleges battery, negligence, negligent hiring, training and supervision and civil rights violations. He seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.
The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. on May 4, 2022, as Pender was driving his pickup truck south on Sierra Highway, according to the lawsuit. The Palmdale Sheriff’s Station is located on East Avenue Q, just east of Sierra Highway.
According to the lawsuit, the 40mm projectile shattered a window on Pender’s truck, hit him in the head and left him with severe, permanent injuries and emotional distress. Pender has been unable to perform his job to the extent he could before being hurt and faces an ongoing reduction in income, the lawsuit states.
A sheriff’s department representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the lawsuit, which was brought Monday, Feb. 27.
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ElToreo! says
I went to high school with this guy. Now I read his name in the paper with the description ” A 62-year-old Palmdale man”. Jeez he sure is old now.
Nick says
I just wish people would earn their money the old fashioned way….working! Instead of trying to find someone to sue.
Anonymous says
I wish cops would man up to what they do that man 62 not 18 it effects him way more
Tim Scott says
So, in your estimation this guy was driving down Sierra Highway “looking for someone to sue”?
Mars says
REALLY?!!..I Guess The Training Went Well Then cause Did They Hit The Intended Target Or Suddenly Missed…It May Be A Coincidence The Vehicle Was Struck But I Believe The Possibility That It May Have Come From Buildings Further Down Which Let’s Face It The Area Said Has Had Many Shootings Say The Least Doesn’t Anyone Pay Attention To THE Crime Section In The Newspaper..Oh Wait That’s Right To Many The Newspaper Is Obsolete But Hey Rather Read A Newspaper That We Can Honestly Depend On For Truths Compared To Cell Phones News Worthy Information & Hey I Do Love Me Some Comics Especially For Teaching The New Generation To Read..
RETIREMENT Unfortunately Has Come Early Honestly No One Like BEING At HOME Forced In EARLY RETIREMENT..
GOOD LUCK
JUST BEING A SKEPTIC..
Huh?…. says
This doesn’t make sense. Deputies are not randomly discharging weapons in the parking lot or in the station. It was determined that it came from the station? Like they know who the weapon belonged to and matched it to that weapon?
I’m assuming he immediately stopped and alerted the station of the accident and an investigation was conducted?
There’s some info missing from this article!
Tim Scott says
I’d say that if his windshield shattered and he got hit in the head the station was probably ‘alerted’ by the ambulance pulling up outside.