[xoxoxoBruce]

The cop says it's called a "distraction blow", and it's taught in the police Academy. I find that rather a shaky defense, but that's up to the courts to decide. If the cop is guilty, he should be punished. But there is no way in hell this guy deserves $5 million.

The pursuit began about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at an attempted traffic stop in El Monte, police said. Authorities tried to stop the motorist for a traffic violation, said California Highway Patrol Officer Jose Nunez. Rodriguez opted to keep going, heading onto the eastbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway, then exited in Baldwin Park, police said. The driver had two passengers in the car, but when the vehicle came to a stop in traffic, one of them jumped out and surrendered to police. The driver, however, sped off again, and unidentified objects were thrown out of the car.
The driver used a sidewalk to avoid traffic before getting back onto the eastbound San Bernardino (10) Freeway, where he was met by two patrol units. Going about 85 mph, Rodriguez took the 10 to the southbound San Gabriel River (605) Freeway and exited on Whittier Boulevard, where the car immediately slammed into a sport utility vehicle. One of the occupants was taken into custody almost immediately and Rodriguez ran to the back of a nearby apartment complex and was arrested there.