The family of Brent Thompson, a man who died after being tased by a Larimer County deputy and run over on I-25, has reached a $5 million settlement with the county. Despite the monetary compensation, the Thompson family expressed that they do not feel justice has been served, as they mourn the loss of their loved one. Thompson, 28, was fleeing arrest when he was tased and fell onto the highway, unable to move out of the way of an oncoming SUV.
The incident has sparked a lawsuit against the deputy who tased Thompson, but the internal review found that he did not violate the sheriff’s office’s policies. The Larimer County Sheriff expressed grief over the loss and acknowledged the impact on multiple lives. The settlement was largely guided by insurers, according to a spokesperson for the county.
The Thompson family argued that Brent’s civil rights were violated the night he died and accused the deputy of using excessive force. The investigation found that while the deputy showed poor judgment, his actions were not deemed criminal. The autopsy revealed an extraordinarily high level of fentanyl in Thompson’s system, and it was discovered that he was not allowed to possess a firearm due to a prior felony.
The family’s attorneys criticized the deputy’s decision to tase Thompson on a busy highway, stating that it posed an extreme risk of death or serious injury. Despite the settlement, the Thompson family continues to mourn the loss of Brent and seek accountability for the actions that led to his tragic death.
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