The civil trial of a local doctor who suffered a stroke resulting in permanent brain damage, continued Monday. Dr. Mohamad Harb is suing the Bakersfield Police Department, claiming officers did not provide the medical care he needed following a crash in 2007. Meantime, the city is suing Hall Ambulance claiming they are the ones at fault.
Another four of the 87 witnesses testified Monday. All were there after the crash and recalled what they saw.
Judge J. Eric Bradshaw would not allow our cameras to record audio of witness testimony during the proceedings.
Dr. Mohamad Harb suffered a stroke and crashed his car the night of November 24th, 2007.
He's suing the Bakersfield Police Department, claiming Officer Claudia Payne thought Dr. Harb was under the influence and turned Hall Ambulance away.
Judge Bradshaw also did not allow 17 News to video the face of registered nurse Mehgan Coffey who pulled over after recognizing Dr. Harb at the crash. She testified saying, "The female officer said an ambulance came and we sent them away. He's coming with us."
Another witness, Nicholas Nieland, also took the stand. He heard the crash and witnessed Dr. Harb urinating in the roadway, then getting back into his car, and trying to put the key in the ignition. He said he told Officer Payne what he'd seen. In court, he showed the jury how Payne gripped the doctor, saying, "She had the control hold on him walking him to the curb."
Detective Joseph Mitchell Galland also testified. He arrived at the crash scene after Payne. He said the paramedic told him after checking Dr. Harb out that, "There's nothing medically wrong with this guy. Senior Officer Payne then said, I guess he's coming with us."
With so many witnesses to get through, the trial is expected to take up to four weeks.