Warning: the video and images you are about to see are graphic.
A woman in Skokie, Illinois has filed a lawsuit against the Skokie Police Department, alleging they used excessive force after she was tossed in a jail cell and crashed into a bench.
Cassandra Feuerstein, 47, was arrested for driving under the influence after officers found her pulled over at the side of the road and asleep behind the wheel.
Surveillance cameras capture Feuerstein interacting with officers at the station shortly after the arrest, but when one officer hurls her into the cell with force, the 110-pound woman crashes right into a concrete bench.
Feuerstein lies motionless on the floor as blood pools from her face. After a few moments, several officers come in to check on her, realizing that she’s not faking her injuries.
In the end, Feuerstein shattered several bones in her face, had to undergo reconstructive surgery and now has a titanium plate inserted in her cheek.
Her lawyer says she’s proceeding with the civil suit because authorities are not pursuing charges against the officer.
“This can go from 0-60 so quickly, like this man did with someone who’s clearly no threat to him is dangerous — could be dangerous with that type of power that he has,” Feuerstein’s attorney, Torri Hamilton, said. “She doesn’t even know, we don’t even know what she’s going to need in the future.”
Skokie officials have yet to comment on the officer’s behavior.
SOURCE: NBC, Think Progress | PHOTO CREDIT: Handout
