Brothers Sue LAPD Over Speeding Crash

Two brothers, Stephen and Richard Paper, aged 74 and 76, have filed a negligence lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and the LAPD following a serious car accident involving a police patrol vehicle. The incident occurred on June 4, 2024, when the brothers' Toyota Camry was struck by an LAPD cruiser driven by Officer Jason C. Stevenson, who was reportedly speeding at 80 mph just before the collision. The crash took place in Encino, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, as the brothers attempted to make a left turn onto Burbank Boulevard. Attorney Robert S. Glassman, representing the Paper brothers, highlighted the irony of the situation, noting that Officer Stevenson was part of a street racing task force at the time of the incident. An LAPD traffic collision investigation report attributed the crash to Stevenson’s unsafe speed, indicating that had he adhered to the posted speed limit of 45 mph, the accident could have been avoided. The report stated that the patrol car was traveling at 55 mph at the moment of impact. The LAPD acknowledged that the officer was pursuing another speeding vehicle when the crash occurred but declined to comment on the lawsuit's specific allegations. Glassman emphasized the ongoing physical challenges faced by the brothers, who are still receiving inpatient care due to their injuries. He criticized the officer's actions, asserting that driving without lights and sirens at such high speeds is unjustifiable and poses significant risks to public safety.