Authorities and civil rights lawyers are reviewing hours of law enforcement video footage after a Black man was seriously injured in a police van in Connecticut.

Richard “Randy” Cox, 36, is in intensive care, paralyzed from the chest down, said civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Cox. He was being detained for processing on a weapons charge on June 19 when the police van’s driver braked suddenly to avoid a collision, causing Cox to hit his head, according to officials and video footage.  

Five members of the New Haven police department who were involved in the transport have been put on leave while the episode is investigated by state police.

What does police footage show?

Cox was handcuffed when he was in the back of the New Haven police van, which was not equipped with seat belts. 

About 30 seconds before the van abruptly stopped, footage shows Cox lying on the floor in the back of the vehicle trying to get up. He has difficulty doing so, apparently because he is handcuffed, the footage shows.

Video shows Cox eventually is able to get back into a seated position moments before Officer Diaz braked hard. The officer claimed he slammed on the brakes to avoid a collision, police said. 

External footage shows Diaz driving down a residential street and then honk the horn three times and motion to another vehicle, as a loud thud can be heard from the back of the police vehicle. 

Then Cox can be heard crying out for help and Diaz asks, “Are you alright?”

“That car went right in front of us; we almost got hit,” Diaz said to Cox as he continued driving.