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Lawsuit filed against City of Buffalo after motorcyclist struck by one of the 'Singing Cops'

Posted at 12:53 PM, Oct 28, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-28 12:53:24-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A lawsuit has been filed against the City of Buffalo after a Buffalo man was seriously injured when he was struck by a Buffalo police car while riding his motorcycle in August 2019.

The crash occurred on August 27, 2019 and the officer operating the patrol car was Michael Norwood, Jr. one of Buffalo's "Singing Cops."

The lawsuit was filed by the crash victim Melvin Williams, Jr. and his mother Evelyn Williams.

According to the lawsuit Norwood turned left into the path of Williams who was traveling south on Jefferson Avenue, Williams suffered serious internal and external bodily injuries as a result of the crash.

At the time of the crash Tom Burton, attorney for the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, told 7 Eyewitness News officer Norwood was "deeply upset" and was praying for the recovery of the motorcyclist.

The lawsuit states the City of Buffalo is liable for the conduct of officer Norwood and alleges he failed to yield the right of way, drive at a reasonable and safe speed and maintain a proper look out for other vehicles - among other allegations.

The Williams family will seek damages "in an amount to be proven and determined at the time of trial," the lawsuit says.