Memphis Fire Department spokeswoman Quanesha Ward said.
Two Memphis. A black man who died days after a traffic stop.
Memphis Fire Department spokeswoman Quanesha Ward said employees were. “Involved in primary patient care” of Nichols but did not provide further details.
“This is an ongoing investigation, and we cannot comment further now.” Ward said in a statement Monday. The department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Nichols, 29, was stopped by Memphis police on Jan. 7 for reckless driving, the department said. Details about what happened after the stop are unclear. Police said there was a “confrontation” between Nichols. And officers as they approached his vehicle. Nichols allegedly fled and was chased by officers.
“While attempting to take the suspect into custody, another confrontation occurred. 8 police statement. “Later, the suspect complained of difficulty breathing.
Authorities did not provide details about the alleged collision.
A photo released by the family shows Nichols in a hospital bed with blood on his face and a swollen eye.
The family’s attorney, Ben Crump, said what happened to Nichols reminded. Him of the 1991 beating of Rodney King by Los Angeles police officers.
“What we can tell you about the video: It’s terrible, it’s deplorable, it’s disgusting … it’s violent,” Crump said. “And it’s very troubling on every level, because you have to ask yourself. Again, we’re seeing evidence of what happens to black. And brown people from simple traffic stops.“
The Memphis Police Department said in a Twitter statement Monday that it is “working. With the District Attorney’s Office to determine the appropriate time to publicly. Release the video recording.”
After an administrative investigation found them to have violated department policy. Police Chief CJ Davis said. They have been identified as Tadarrius Bean. Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Junior and Justin Smith.
The Justice Department and the FBI’s Memphis Field Office. Also announced a civil rights investigation into the traffic stop.