California cops drove a 54 yr old woman 15 miles to a dump at midnight, left her to walk home. settlement $3 million

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

Oroville police Officer Robert Sasek
Sgt. Ali Khan
Officer Isaac Herrera

Hit by car after being left at dump by police, Northern California woman wins huge settlement

A Chico woman arrested in September 2022 by Oroville police — who was then driven to a Butte County dump at midnight and left until she was struck by a passing car as she tried to walk home — has settled her lawsuit against the city for a $3 million payment, her attorney said Monday.

Dana Marie James, 54, sued the city of Oroville in federal court last year following the incident, which left her hospitalized with life-threatening injuries for 35 days as a result of the hit and run. Court records say the ordeal forced her to endure several surgeries.

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“All three officers knew and discussed that Ms. James had been rejected by the jail at booking because she had an urgent medical condition requiring evaluation and treatment and needed to be ‘medically cleared’ prior to being accepted into custody at the jail,” the suit says. “Officer Herrera suggested that Officer Sasek take her out to a remote area on Neal Road at the Waste Facility and abandon Ms. James at the dump.”

Sasek then drove 15½ miles north to the Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility as James asked where they were going and Sasek responded “Don’t worry about it” and “just shut up,” the suit says.

They arrived at the dump at midnight, and Sasek told her to get out and ignored her questions about where they were, the suit says. “You will figure it out, it’s not my problem,” Sasek said before hitting the gas pedal and spraying James with gravel as he drove away, the suit says.

Read more at: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article284830321.html#storylink=cpy

[riversedge]

1. She only gets 3 M?? Does not seem fair for what those officers put her through!!

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

2. she settled.

[Kennah]

7. Most anyone does. They have to. System is stacked against them.

Robert Kearns is one of the few who fought things to the ends of the Earth, and it might well have destroyed his marriage.

[Emile]

3. All for taking a dip in a swimming pool to cool off.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. The humanitarian instincts of these officers is notable

Notably absent. They just walk away, a case of bad judgment?

[kimbutgar]

5. I went to college in Chico and used to pass though Oroville

My Dad told me to never stop there for gas because it was one of those sundown towns with a lot of right wingers and this was in the mid 70’s

[LoisB]

6. She didn't get enough.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Cruelty For Cruelty's Sake

The whole thing was done just to be mean.

[herding cats]

9. Her injuries are horrific.

“Based on the severe internal injuries that Ms. James sustained, medical providers were forced to remove 30 to 40 percent of her colon, and approximately two feet of her small intestine,” the suit says. “Ms. James has also been informed that due to the internal injuries and removal of a portion of her small intestine and a portion of her colon, she will likely be required to wear a colostomy bag for life.”

She also endured multiple surgeries, including the amputation of two toes, and “continues to experience problems and pain after the amputation,” the suit says.

“Ms. James has experienced and will continue to experience pain and suffering, and mental and emotional distress for the rest of her life,” the suit says. “Ms. James has been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of Officer Sasek’s misconduct.

“Ms. James has incurred past medical expenses and costs and will be incurring future medical expenses as she will require care and treatment for the remainder of her life.”

She truly should have gotten more money, at the very least an extra fund in some form of a trust to cover her care for the rest of her life.

[limbicnuminousity]

10. May have had to settle

for medical expenses. She deserved more.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

12. she will probably get 2 million after atty takes his cut, I hope she gets help managing the money to last

[malaise]

20. Those cops should be in prison

That is all

[JusticeforDana]

21. I wonder WHY Officer Sasek REFUSED to have her examined

Before Sasek was suppose to take her to Oroville Hospital to be examined thete is a short video clip of Sgt Kahn doing something and exposed her to the other cops snd the public and making comments about her …were they afraid the Hospital might check to see IF she had been assaulted?? The cops certainly lied enough to the newspaper

[republianmushroom]

11. Jesus, we do have some damn dumb public servants.

Bet those cops will want the city to raise their pay in a few months.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

13. Which prison is this ex policeman in?

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

14. i wish!!!

[JusticeforDana]

16. Go figurr

The Officer who told the truth from the beginning was fired! The Sgt who “displaced” her top and made fun of her to the store employees and other cops STILL working AND the cop who did this, lied to the DA, lied in sworn court documents and months later after internal affairs investigation changed story to it did happen but now saying she asked to be taken to the dump (lmao) he is STILL working and was used as their join our department be luke him after lawsuit was filed

[JusticeforDana]

22. Are you kidding?

The DA after making a statement how Officer Sasek had lied to him about what happened AND the fact Officer Sasek repeatedly made false statements in his court documents to FINALLY admit years later that well he did do some of the things, etc.....the DA REFUSED to bring charges saying no crime had been done?? Odd, law enforcement even REFUSED to file the report of the hit and run which by law was to have been reported to CHP.....Big cover up in this county......Hopefully an announcement will be made soon concerning this cop

[TheRickles]

15. Any idea how/if the cops were punished?

The article is behind a paywall.

[JusticeforDana]

17. I know what was done

There were 3 cops involved: Officer Herrera who told the truth from the beginning was fired! Sgt Kahn (who made fun of her while displacing her clothing to expose her body to other officers & store employees) & Officer Sasek (who lied to DA and lied in sworn court documents with Kahn) BOTH still working and OPD used their photos to promote joing the department and becoming a cop

[TheRickles]

19. Unbelievable (but not really). Thanks, and welcome to DU.

[Concerned Female]

24. Took almost 3 years and FINALLY Robert Sasek is up for decertification

IMMEDIATELY after this event they made Robert Sasek the "Poster Boy" for recruitment for Officers for the Oroville Police Department. The DA insisted no crime committed! Well almlost 3 years later it was finally brought to the California POST Board who voted to decertify him which means he can no longer be a Law Officer in California. His review was July 17, 2025 just waiting for finalization!

[oasis]

18. These cops should've been fired pronto.nt

[Concerned Female]

23. July 17, 2025 POST voted to REVOKE Robert Sasek certification

The wheels of justice certainly turn slowly.....Almost 3 years since this Officer was among those who did harm to Dana James, finally some justice in sight. The California POST Board voted to decertify him (means he can NEVER be a law officer again in California).....His comments were again lies and lies and then when presented with evidence change his story.......His comment on her injuries was "that SUCKS" when asked what would it have taken her DEATH for him to think he should be held accountable.....pause.....Had no remorse, except he got caught. Told some many lies again and again. Said he NEVER met up with one of the other Officers to discuss the case and what lies to tell internal affairs until shown a photo of the two of them (which he had sent to his wife) then admitted oh he did meet. He should NEVER have been an Officer to begin with

[TheRickles]

25. Thanks. Better late than never (I suppose).

[Brother Buzz]

27. Looks like this decertified LEA is prime candidate to be recruited by ICE

I’m just saying.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

28. Welcome to DU

[WhiskeyGrinder]

26. oh quick increase their training budget, I bet more training would have prevented this. Or body cams!!1!!!!!