FREDERICKSBURG, Va. — A police officer has resigned after an investigation found he used force inappropriately during an arrest earlier this month.
Fredericksburg police said the driver of a silver Hyundai slammed into a Jeep near the University of Mary Washington pedestrian bridge around 5 p.m. on May 4. Officials said that the Hyundai sedan had earlier run over a median on on Route 1 and knocked down a road sign.
The driver of the Jeep followed the suspect stopped at the intersection of Cowan Boulevard and Powhatan Street. That’s where the driver of the Jeep and another witness waited for police.
The two officers who arrived on the scene first held the driver at gunpoint and ordered him out of his car, but he did not get out. Minutes later, a third officer arrived.
“As the Hyundai driver remained in his vehicle, the third officer, Shaun Jurgens, used his Taser on the man in an effort to gain his compliance. One of the Taser prongs apparently did not make a proper connection and the Taser use was ineffective. Jurgens then used his O.C. spray (pepper spray) on the man, and Officer Jurgens and Corporal Deschenes removed him from the car,” Fredericksburg police spokesperson Natatia Bledsoe said.
An EMS crew, which treated 34-year-old David Washington of Fredericksburg for O.C. exposure and removed the Taser prong attached to him, transported the suspect to Mary Washington Hospital. That’s where doctors said that he was “experiencing a medical emergency that had commenced at some point in the preceding hours.”
As is department policy, the officers reported the use of force and command staff reviewed the incident.
“The use of force demonstrated in the incident involving Mr. Washington was not in compliance with department policy or training,” Capt. Rick Pennock said. “We take matters such as these very seriously and require that officers at all times exercise appropriate restraint and good judgment in their dealings with citizens.”
Officials said that Jurgens resigned on May 14.
Police said that charges, which include hit-and-run – property damage, hit-and-run, reckless driving and driving on a revoked or suspended license – 3rd or subsequent offense, are pending against Washington.
