Lawsuit filed against police officer who allegedly ran over pedestrian

GRETNA – A Kenner police officer has been accused of negligence in a recently filed lawsuit that claims he ran over a pedestrian.

William Cilestan filed suit against the City of Kenner, City of Kenner Police Department and Michael Lacrouts in the 24th Judicial District Court on June 3.

On June 13, 2013, Cilestan alleges he was crossing the street at a bus stop located at West Esplanade and Loyola Drive in Kenner when Lacrouts, who was driving a Kenner Police Department cruiser, ran his vehicle into him. The plaintiff asserts he suffered severe bodily injuries to his upper back, lower back, left shoulder, neck and left knee in the incident and is still suffering from frequent headaches.

The defendant is accused of failing to keep proper control of vehicle, failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to use extreme caution when making a turn, failing to apply brakes in a timely manner and failing to see what should have been seen.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical expenses, travel expenses, physical pain and suffering, metal pain and suffering, physical impairment, disfigurement, lost wages, loss of self-employed business income, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of society.

Cilestan is represented by New Orleans-based attorney J. Casey Cowley.

The case has been assigned to Division J Judge Stephen C. Grefer.

Case no. 739-097.