From [HERE] A Prince George's County officer who died in a high-speed police chase in August is at the center of an ongoing police brutality lawsuit. Officer Adrian Morris, who was killed in the line of duty while chasing a stolen vehicle on Interstate 95, and the Prince George's County government were sued in April by a tire store employee who claims Morris beat him without provocation in June 2011.

Glen Burnie resident Derrick Thomas is seeking at least $10 million in compensatory and punitive damages from the county, which Thomas claims "permitted and tolerated a pattern or practice of unjustified, unreasonable, and illegal excessive force and brutality," according to court records. Morris is accused of violating Thomas' constitutional rights and committing assault and battery.

The lawsuit claims Morris beat Thomas after an angry customer called officers to Tire World in Laurel after being overcharged $5. Thomas said the officer threw him onto a vehicle so hard the car’s roof was dented.

“He picked me up by the collar,” Thomas said. “And my head snapped back.” [MORE] Morris refused to give information, including his badge number Tire World’s store manager witnessed the alleged assault.