Wildwood beachgoer run over by police truck files lawsuit against city, officer

A Pennsylvania woman who was struck and trapped beneath a Wildwood police pickup truck while sunbathing on the beach has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence, reckless conduct, and serious permanent injuries.

A Pennsylvania family is suing the City of Wildwood and the Wildwood Police Department after a police pickup truck allegedly ran over a woman as she lay on the beach celebrating her birthday.

According to a complaint filed in Cape May County Superior Court, Annette Eld of Philadelphia was sunbathing on Wildwood Beach around 1:27 p.m. on Aug. 28, 2024, when a Wildwood Police Department Ford F-150 operated by Officer Saul Meghnagi allegedly drove over her without warning. The lawsuit also names Officer Alexis Koch, who was riding in the vehicle at the time.

Woman allegedly trapped beneath police vehicle

The complaint states Eld was “suddenly and without warning run over” by the police truck while visiting the beach with family members. According to court filings, eyewitnesses immediately shouted to alert the officer, who then stopped the vehicle while Eld remained pinned underneath.

The lawsuit claims weather conditions were sunny with clear visibility and alleges no emergency lights or sirens were activated at the time of the incident. The filing further states Officer Meghnagi was not responding to a dispatched call when the collision occurred.

Body camera images included in the complaint show beachgoers gathered around the truck as rescue efforts unfolded. The lawsuit states Eld could be heard screaming for help while trapped beneath the vehicle.

Complaint cites eyewitness and body camera accounts

The filing includes several quotes allegedly captured on police body camera footage following the incident.

According to the complaint, one onlooker confronted the officer and asked, “How the f*** did you do that?” The lawsuit also alleges Officer Meghnagi radioed, “We need a jack,” before telling bystanders, “Guys, I think we should just wait for Rescue to get here.”

The complaint says Good Samaritans instead coordinated efforts to lift the truck and pull Eld from underneath the vehicle before additional rescuers arrived.

Family claims severe physical and emotional injuries

According to the lawsuit, Eld suffered extensive injuries to her neck, back, ribs, lungs, shoulders, abdomen and other parts of her body. The filing alleges she sustained multiple spinal disc injuries, nerve damage, chronic pain, emotional distress and ongoing medical complications requiring extensive treatment.

The family’s minor child, identified only as J.H., was allegedly nearby on the beach and witnessed the incident and rescue efforts. The lawsuit claims the child and Eld’s partner, Cory Hart, suffered emotional trauma after seeing her trapped beneath the police truck.

The complaint alleges the officer failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to yield to pedestrians and operated the vehicle negligently. It further claims the city and police department failed in their training, supervision and vehicle operation policies.

Plaintiffs seek damages and jury trial

Filed by the law firm Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, the lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages against the City of Wildwood, the Wildwood Police Department and other defendants identified in the complaint. Plaintiffs have also requested a jury trial.

The allegations contained in the lawsuit represent claims made by the plaintiffs. The defendants had not filed responses to the complaint at the time of filing.

Key Points

• A Pennsylvania woman alleges a Wildwood police pickup truck ran over her while she was sunbathing on Wildwood Beach.
• The lawsuit claims no emergency lights or sirens were activated and that the officer was not responding to a dispatched call.
• Body camera footage cited in the complaint allegedly captured bystanders helping lift the truck to free the woman.

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