Author: Jason Waechter | Date: October 7, 2025 | Category: Uncategorized
Our firm has filed a $50 million federal civil rights lawsuit against the City of Troy and five of its police officers after one of their cruisers struck our client’s motorcycle in 2023, leaving him permanently injured and partially paralyzed.
On September 22, 2023, our client, Thomas Szczesny, was riding his motorcycle near Maple Road and Stephenson Highway in Troy when he was hit by a speeding Troy police cruiser.
The officer, Evan Leithauser, was responding to a non-emergency call and was traveling more than 20 miles per hour over the 40 mph speed limit.
Critically, the officer’s emergency lights and sirens were not activated. The impact caused catastrophic injuries, including severe orthopedic and neurological damage and partial paralysis, that have forever changed Mr. Szczesny’s life.
We allege that Officer Leithauser’s actions violated Mr. Szczesny’s Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights, and that the Troy Police Department engaged in a cover-up to protect its officer from accountability.
After the crash, Troy Police sought a search warrant for our client’s blood using misleading information that suggested he was intoxicated. Subsequent testing proved that Mr. Szczesny had no alcohol or drugs in his system.
Despite this, he was charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), charges that were later dismissed in the interest of justice by the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office.
To make matters worse, Officer Leithauser’s body and dash camera footage were never preserved, unlike footage from other responding officers.
Our complaint details numerous systemic failures within the Troy Police Department including gross negligence, malicious prosecution, unlawful seizure, and failure to properly train and supervise officers.
These failures, in our view, go beyond one officer’s mistake. They point to a larger problem within the department’s culture of accountability.
“This is more than just a traffic crash – it’s a story of institutional failure which left Mr. Szczesny with permanent injuries,” said attorney Aaron Martinez, one of our firm’s trial lawyers.
“From our investigation, it appears the Troy Police Department tried to cover up their officer’s misconduct by falsely alleging intoxication. Meanwhile, our client was left partially paralyzed and forced to defend his reputation. Now, justice must be done.”
In a public statement, a City of Troy spokesperson said the city intends to “zealously defend” the lawsuit and continues to claim that Mr. Szczesny was at fault for failing to yield.
We strongly dispute that characterization. The facts, evidence, and video records (or lack thereof) tell a different story and one that we believe will become clear in court.
We are proud to represent Mr. Szczesny and his family as they seek justice for the harm done to them. No one, especially someone injured through no fault of their own, should have to endure both catastrophic physical injuries and false criminal accusations.
This case is about more than one crash. It’s about holding those in power accountable and ensuring that what happened to our client never happens to another person.
If You’ve Been Hurt in a Motorcycle Crash, We’re Here to Help
Motorcycle crashes caused by negligence whether by another driver, a government employee, or law enforcement, can change a person’s life in an instant. You deserve answers, accountability, and a legal team that fights for you.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle crash anywhere in Michigan, contact us today for a free consultation.
We’ve helped riders and their families across the state recover millions for their injuries and losses and we’re ready to fight for you too.
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