THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — A Thurston County woman is suing after Washington State Patrol troopers arrested her for driving under the influence and not providing medical aid while she was suffering from a brain bleed.
According to the lawsuit, Nicole McClure was involved in a single-vehicle collision due to a medical emergency on March 21, 2022. A Washington State Patrol trooper saw McClure driving at a slow rate of speed before she collided with the center of a roundabout in Olympia.
McClure told troopers she left work early because she "was feeling very dizzy and did not know what was going on," according to the lawsuit. Troopers allegedly forcefully arrested McClure at gunpoint and she was ultimately arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Troopers reportedly didn't administer a breathalyzer or a field sobriety test and reported McClure had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech.
The lawsuit said McClure had blood drawn, but didn't receive any medical aid and was left at the Thurston County Jail overnight unable to stand or control her bodily functions, all while suffering from a brain bleed.
The lawsuit claims the guards at the jail "knew or had reason to know" McClure was involved in a car collision and needed medical care. Further, it claims the jail staff made fun of her condition and offered her "another shot."
McClure was discovered the next morning unresponsive and was transported to the emergency department where it was confirmed she was suffering from a "massive brain hemorrhage."
The lawsuit said McClure suffered "significant brain damage" leading to a "life time of decreased capacity."
"Both the officers and guards were deliberately indifferent to Nicole’s constitutional and civil rights," the lawsuit reads. The lawsuit was filed against Thurston County, the Thurston County Jal and Washington State Patrol, seeking damages.
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a statement “the nature of the allegations as reported are serious and will be treated as such. The safety of our inmates and staff continues to be our top priority.”