A civil trial is taking place this week at the Florence County Courthouse involving Rodney Cooper verses the Florence County Sheriff's Office.
In October 2009, Cooper filed a lawsuit against the Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Kenney Boone and deputies Dane Keefe and Jennifer Floyd.
He's accusing the deputies of using excessive force.
According to a copy of the lawsuit, Cooper says he was on his way home in November of 2007, when he passed Florence County Sheriff's Deputy Keefe.
The lawsuit says says Cooper continued to drive and saw blue lights flashing from his rearview mirror.
The documents say Cooper was afraid to stop because Keefe was driving in a threatening manner. He alleges the deputy sped up and got right on his bumper.
The lawsuit says Cooper eventually stopped, and as he got out the car, Keefe rammed his patrol car into Cooper's car causing it to lurch forward and off to the side.
Cooper alleges Keefe's cruiser then hit him, spun him around and knocked him to the ground causing injuries.
The lawsuit says Keefe then kicked Cooper several times about the head area.
Cooper says more deputies arrived at the scene and began searching for contraband they say he discarded from his car.
According to the lawsuit, Cooper was handcuffed and sat in the road until Florence County EMS arrived.
He was then taken to McLeod Regional Medical Center for surgery.
Cooper says he remained in the hospital for two weeks and two days before being released.
Cooper was charged with failure to stop for a blue light, resisting arrest, DUI and unlawful carrying of a pistol by a convicted felon.
The court papers say all of the charges were disposed of except unlawful carrying of a pistol.
The lawsuit accuses the deputies of using excessive force, seizing Cooper without reasonable suspicion, false imprisonment, physical grabbing and handcuffing, and false arrest.
He is seeking compensatory and punitive damages in an appropriate amount.
In court documents answering to the allegations, the Florence County Sheriff's Office denies each allegation.
Captain Michael Nunn tells NewsChannel 15 he is actively involved in the case as counsel for the Sheriff's Office and says he's not able to comment on any of the allegations until the case is resolved.
Judge Alexander McAuley is presiding over the case.
We're told closing arguments could be heard Wednesday.
We'll let you know the outcome of this trial.
