Lawsuit Alleges St. Pete Police Left Man Paralyzed

Heriberto Alejandro Sanchez-Mayen filed a federal lawsuit against the city of St. Petersburg and two police officers, alleging that he was left paralyzed and needed both legs amputated after being placed in the back of a police van without a seatbelt and driven recklessly. The lawsuit claims that the officers used excessive force and intentional battery, while the city is accused of negligent supervision and training. The St. Petersburg Police Department denies the claims and defers media inquiries to the City Attorney's Office. The incident bears similarities to the controversial 2015 death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore, who suffered severe injuries during transport in a police van.