Carbondale has paid $105,000 to settle a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by a woman who claimed a police officer used his cruiser to ram an all-terrain vehicle on which she was riding in 2009, according to an attorney.

Filed in Scranton in 2010 against Officer Timothy Mackrell individually and as a city police officer, the lawsuit claimed the officer "rammed" the ATV on which Chelsea Rocuba, then 17, rode as a passenger in an attempt to turn the ATV sideways.

The lawsuit says the officer "rationalized that punishment must be inflicted" on Ms. Rocuba and the driver, Gregory Perri, because he had seen them driving on a public road without helmets. Ms. Rocuba was transported to Marian Community Hospital for treatment and later discharged but continued to experience physical and psychological pain; Mr. Perri was arrested, according to the suit.

"It is my understanding the payments have already occurred," said attorney Devon Jacob, a member of the firm that represented Ms. Rocuba.

Noting that Mr. Perri and Ms. Rocuba did not commit a serious crime, Mr. Jacob, head of the civil division at Boyle, Autry and Murphy, said the officer's use of the car "does not seem to be an appropriate force under the circumstances." The lawsuit claims the officer was suspended for 10 days after the incident.

Officer Mackrell said the case was settled because it was cheaper than a trial, adding he did nothing wrong. The officer contested the claims in the suit, adding all of the award money went to legal fees and medical bills.

The city has an ordinance that slaps a $300 fine and up to 90 days in jail on anyone caught riding an ATV on a city street or on anyone under 16 years old riding an ATV in the city.

The lawsuit says Officer Mackrell was patrolling Hospital Street on May 29, 2009, after receiving complaints of ATVs driving on roadways.

The officer, the lawsuit says, saw Mr. Perri and Ms. Rocuba and then followed them, without turning on his lights or sirens.

At Hospital and Fallbrook streets, Officer Mackrell reported Mr. Perri did not properly stop at a sign and almost hit another car, according to the lawsuit. The suit says the officer "rammed" the ATV after seeing the riders were not wearing helmets.

The court dismissed the lawsuit in late January after a settlement had been reached.

Contact the writer: jmrozinski@timesshamrock.com