Police sued over bulldozer death of pot suspect

A federal lawsuit says Pennsylvania State Police acted recklessly when troopers used a bulldozer to pursue a Grateful Dead fan caught growing marijuana on public land, killing him when he wound up under the machine’s treads.

Greg Longenecker’s family says state police had no business chasing him with a dangerous piece of machinery — especially over a few pot plants the 51-year-old was cultivating for personal use. His death last July, in a rural area about 75 miles (121 kilometres) outside of Philadelphia, also provoked outrage from a marijuana advocacy group.

State police declined comment. A prosecutor who investigated Longenecker’s death concluded the troopers acted reasonably.

The suit was filed Monday in Philadelphia. It seeks damages against state police, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the individuals involved in the pursuit.

Michael Rubinkam, The Associated Press

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