Inmate Paul Bourn is representing himself in a lawsuit against a Vermont police department, its chief and some of its officers following a police chase that ended when Bourn crashed into a roadblock.
 
Bourn, who is being held at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility on unrelated charges, claims he was in a "serious and potentially life-threatening motorcycle accident" as a result of crashing into the roadblock while traveling at 100 mph.  As a result of his head bouncing off one of the police cruisers that was part of the roadblock, Bourn claims to suffer "recurring headaches, nightmares, blackouts and unexpected behavioral mood swings."  
 
According to a police affidavit, the pursuit began when officers approached Bourn as a potential suspect in a case involving a customer who drove off without paying for gasoline.  Bourn fled before questioning, with the police in chase.  A roadblock was ordered, but Bourn alleges that recorded police communications called for the chase and roadblock to be abandoned and that officers failed to comply.  Bourn is seeking millions of dollars in damages.
 
Defendants' counsel Nancy Sheahan denied Bourn's allegations stating, "Plaintiff's injuries or damages, if any, were caused in whole or in part by plaintiff's own negligence, and therefore, plaintiff is either barred from recovery in this action or any recovery against defendant must be dismissed to the extent of plaintiff's own negligence."
 
Bennington Town Manager Stuart Hurd added that he would like to see the state be more aggressive in dismissing "frivolous" lawsuits before money is spent on litigation.
 
—Source:  BenningtonBanner.com