A Chillicothe woman filed a lawsuit against the Ohio University Police Department Wednesday claiming the officer used excessive force while arresting her last year.
Lyndsey Howell, 21, filed a complaint against OUPD in the Ohio Court of Claims asking for the court to have the department pay her $25,000 in damages for suffering and medical expenses that resulted from her arrest on Jan. 21, 2012, according to court documents.
Howell claimed that Lt. Eric Hoskinson broke her left thumb and severely bruised her finger by improperly handcuffing her after he stopped her vehicle the day of the incident.
OU Police Chief Andrew Powers could not be reached for comment.
Howell, who was an OU student at the time, was charged with operating a motor vehicle without using headlights and reckless operation, according to Athens County Municipal Court records.
Howell’s first charge was dismissed and the second was reduced to operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Howell said in court documents that Hoskinson’s actions were “willful, wanton, and with carless disregard for the natural and probable consequences thereof.”
The alleged injuries caused Howell a great deal of pain, medical expenses and prohibited her from doing the hands on work that is required for her course of study, according to court documents.
Neither the court nor OUPD has issued a response the compliant.
ml147009@ohiou.edu
