Police Tase Deaf Man During Traffic Stop — Jailed 4 Months | Bodycam Breakdown
In this disturbing bodycam case, a routine traffic stop turned into a shocking confrontation after police officers used a taser on a deaf driver who was unable to hear their commands.
Brady Mistic, a deaf man, was stopped by officers Nicholas Hanning and Ellie Summers in Idaho Springs, Colorado. During the stop, the officers directed extremely bright spotlights directly into his eyes, effectively blinding him and making it impossible for him to see clearly. Because of his disability, Mistic could not hear the officers shouting commands.
Confused and disoriented, Mistic stepped out of his vehicle in an attempt to communicate with the officers. Instead of attempting de-escalation or recognizing the situation, the officers quickly escalated the encounter.
Within moments, the officers deployed their taser on Mistic not once but twice. The situation quickly turned chaotic as officers attempted to force him to the ground and place him in handcuffs. During the struggle, one of the officers accidentally broke his own leg while attempting to restrain Mistic.
Following the incident, Mistic was transported to a local hospital where officers attempted to communicate with him with the help of a sign language interpreter. During the conversation, Mistic explained that the bright spotlights had completely blinded him, and because he is deaf, he had no way to hear or understand the officers' commands.
Despite his explanation and documented disability, Mistic was taken to jail and formally charged with second-degree assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. He remained incarcerated for four months before all charges against him were eventually dropped.
Two years later, on September 17, 2021, Mistic filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the officers involved, Nicholas Hanning and Ellie Summers, along with the City of Idaho Springs and Clear Creek County. The lawsuit alleges excessive force and violations of his civil rights.
In a separate incident, Officer Nicholas Hanning was later terminated from the department in July 2021 after assaulting a 75-year-old man in another case. Officer Ellie Summers, however, continues to serve with the Idaho Springs Police Department.
This case raises serious questions about police training, use of force, and how officers should interact with individuals with disabilities during traffic stops.
Brady Mistic, a deaf man, was stopped by officers Nicholas Hanning and Ellie Summers in Idaho Springs, Colorado. During the stop, the officers directed extremely bright spotlights directly into his eyes, effectively blinding him and making it impossible for him to see clearly. Because of his disability, Mistic could not hear the officers shouting commands.
Confused and disoriented, Mistic stepped out of his vehicle in an attempt to communicate with the officers. Instead of attempting de-escalation or recognizing the situation, the officers quickly escalated the encounter.
Within moments, the officers deployed their taser on Mistic not once but twice. The situation quickly turned chaotic as officers attempted to force him to the ground and place him in handcuffs. During the struggle, one of the officers accidentally broke his own leg while attempting to restrain Mistic.
Following the incident, Mistic was transported to a local hospital where officers attempted to communicate with him with the help of a sign language interpreter. During the conversation, Mistic explained that the bright spotlights had completely blinded him, and because he is deaf, he had no way to hear or understand the officers' commands.
Despite his explanation and documented disability, Mistic was taken to jail and formally charged with second-degree assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. He remained incarcerated for four months before all charges against him were eventually dropped.
Two years later, on September 17, 2021, Mistic filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the officers involved, Nicholas Hanning and Ellie Summers, along with the City of Idaho Springs and Clear Creek County. The lawsuit alleges excessive force and violations of his civil rights.
In a separate incident, Officer Nicholas Hanning was later terminated from the department in July 2021 after assaulting a 75-year-old man in another case. Officer Ellie Summers, however, continues to serve with the Idaho Springs Police Department.
This case raises serious questions about police training, use of force, and how officers should interact with individuals with disabilities during traffic stops.
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