Skateboarder injured in nasty collision with SF cop files lawsuit

A skateboarder’s spill over a police car last summer during a downhill event was caused by a “malicious and reckless” attack by a San Francisco police officer, according to a lawsuit.

Anthony Economus, a Vallejo resident who was 19 at the time, bounced off the officer’s shoulder to clip a patrol car before crashing onto the street. He reportedly suffered a broken ankle, torn knee ligaments, a sprained wrist and a wound that needed 13 stitches, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in San Francisco County Superior Court.

The complaint, which names the city and county, alleges that a San Francisco Police Department sergeant — who has yet to be identified — intentionally “shoulder tackled” Economus during an annual downhill skateboarding event on July 11, 2017.

The incident was captured by multiple videos, which appear to show the officer walking into the path of skaters who were riding down Dolores Street at high rates of speed. The officer can be seen leaning in Economus’ direction just as the skateboarder was about to pass him, prompting accusations that the officer’s actions were intentional and excessive.

“The fact that a commanding officer, a supervising officer, was behaving this way in broad daylight in front of spectators is indicative of his comfortability in doing this,” said Adante Pointer, Economus’ attorney. “The way other officers responded appears this isn’t something that raises an eyebrow, even.”

An informal skateboarding competition turned disruptive, bloody and then confrontational July 11, 2017 at Dolores Park in San Francisco when police rushed in to break up the show and a crowd of nearly 400 faced off with them. less An informal skateboarding competition turned disruptive, bloody and then confrontational July 11, 2017 at Dolores Park in San Francisco when police rushed in to break up the show and a crowd of nearly 400 faced ... more Photo: Michael Bodley, The Chronice Photo: Michael Bodley, The Chronice Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Skateboarder injured in nasty collision with SF cop files lawsuit 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

Despite blocking the road with a patrol car, police didn’t warn skateboarders or the crowd that the downhill racing event was being shut down, the suit said, adding that officers allowed the event to proceed until Economus went down the hill.

A crowd gathered on the street after the ugly spill, and skateboarders began cursing in an encounter with police. A friend took Economus to the hospital, according to the lawsuit.

San Francisco police spokesman Officer Robert Rueca told The Chronicle the day after the incident that Economus “was uncooperative and left on his own accord.”

“We tried to assess his injury or injuries, and he refused any medical attention and refused to speak with us,” Rueca said. “We don’t know what the intent of the skateboarder was. It’s difficult to say what actually occurred.”

The officer involved in the collision was treated for minor injuries, he added.

Authorities said at the time that organizers of the event did not have an event permit, and neighbors of the “hill bombing” exhibition had complained about cars blocking the road.

On Wednesday, Rueca declined to name the officer or comment further on the incident because of the pending lawsuit.

John Coté, a spokesman for the San Francisco city attorney’s office, said he could not comment on the lawsuit because the office had not yet been served. He said that police “have a difficult task whenever they’re put in the position of trying to safely re-open a street that has been commandeered for an unpermitted purpose.”

Pointer argued that the Police Department’s comments last summer demonstrated a lack of concern for Economus’ safety.

“I think the tone and the tenor of their response was pretty dismissive,” he said, noting that his client had no criminal record and was not breaking the law.

“We have no information and no reason to believe that the sergeant was disciplined given the statements made by the city and the D.A.’s office not having initiated any prosecution.”

The district attorney’s office would not comment on an ongoing investigation.

Pointer declined to make Economus available for comment, but he said his client has recovered from his injuries and is now able to walk.

“But I can tell you that he no longer skateboards like he used to,” Pointer said. “That was one of his favorite hobbies, and I think he’s left wondering how can somebody do this on videotape, and the world sees it, but nothing comes of it?”

Sophie Haigney is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophie.haigney@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophieHaigney

Skateboard crash

To see videos of the skateboard collision, go to: http://bit.ly/2GxTV7x.