Woman Settles ATV Suit Against Pa. Police For $105K

March 15--A Carbondale woman has settled a Federal Civil Rights lawsuit against a Carbondale police officer and the city for $105,000.

The lawsuit stems from an incident in May 2009, when Chelsea Rocuba suffered back and neck injuries after an ATV on which she was riding as a passenger was rammed by Police Officer Timothy Mackrell. She was 17 at the time.

The officer used a "pit maneuver," a move commonly used by police forces. The pit maneuver involves the law enforcement vehicle steering sharply into the target vehicle, causing it to reverse direction, spin out, or leave the roadway.

Carbondale has paid the settlement award.

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