Video Shows VA Man Tased On Horseback, Run Over By Police Car

LYNCHBURG, VA — Newly released body camera footage connected to a $5 million lawsuit filed by a Virginia man against two Lynchburg police officers show the moments the man was tased on horseback and run over by a police car.

A federal judge last month denied a request by one of the officers to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Steve Rucker Jr., according to court documents. In the lawsuit, Rucker accused officers Zachary Miller and Michael Johnson Jr. of using "heavy-handed tactics" when they chased him through the streets of Lynchburg on March 20, 2021, while attempting to arrest him for allegedly violating a protection order.

"This case details precisely the kind of unfortunate and severe consequences that can result when law enforcement officers decide to use heavy-handed tactics in the performance of routine, ministerial law enforcement duties," the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit filed in federal court, Rucker was riding into Lynchburg on horseback when Amherst County officials informed authorities he was in the city. When Rucker was approached by an officer who asked him to stop, he refused and was pursued by several officers, one of whom said, "We just have paperwork for you," according to court documents.

According to the lawsuit, another officer attempted to tase Rucker but missed. A few minutes later, Miller successfully tased Rucker, according to court documents.

Rucker continued on horseback at a speed of approximately 15 mph, according to the lawsuit, and rode about two blocks before falling from the horse.

Upon arriving at the scene, Johnson jumped out of his cruiser while it was still in gear, according to court documents. As the car began to roll, Johnson jumped back into the vehicle and hit the gas pedal, causing the car to accelerate and run over Rucker, court documents said.

In body-worn camera footage obtained by WSET-TV from Rucker's attorneys, Miller is shown getting out of his cruiser and tasing Rucker as he approached him on horseback. Another portion of video shows Rucker trying to sit up after falling from the horse. A few seconds later, Johnson's police cruiser comes into view and can be seen running over Rucker's torso.

In a court filing in response to Rucker's lawsuit, Johnson said he got out of his cruiser thinking it was in park. In an attempt to avoid hitting another officer, court documents said Johnson turned the cruiser to avoid hitting the officer but struck a retaining wall, which put the car on course to hit Rucker.

According to court documents, Johnson "tried as hard as he could to maneuver his vehicle to avoid Rucker, but the vehicle ended up hitting him."

According to Rucker's lawsuit, Rucker suffered "extensive, severe, and permanent injuries," including a laceration to the liver, hemorrhaging, multiple rib fractures, a concussion, an avulsion of his left ear and a shoulder sprain.

The lawsuit accuses Miller and Johnson of gross negligence. It also accuses Miller of battery and violating Rucker's civil rights. The lawsuit is also seeking punitive damages of $350,000.

In a statement provided to WRIC, a lawyer for Miller and Johnson claimed Rucker was intoxicated during the chase.

"I'm not going to comment on the specific allegations other than to say we believe when the court has all of the facts it will find that the officers acted reasonably when confronted with an apparently intoxicated person riding a horse in downtown Lynchburg," Jim Guynn wrote in an email to 8News.

In April, Miller's lawyers filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, WSET reported. A trial date has been set for April 2024.

It's unclear if Miller and Johnson are still employed as officers with the Lynchburg Police Department. The agency and the city of Lynchburg did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment. This story will be updated should the city or police department respond.