The city of Hercules and a local fire department have reportedly agreed to pay $1.35 million to settle a federal lawsuit filed by a man who was Tased by police during a traffic stop while he was suffering an epileptic seizure behind the wheel.
Jack Bruce, 24, was Tased three times by Hercules police officers on April 1, 2024 after he drove off the road and down a small embankment in the city, according to body-camera footage obtained by KTVU.
Bruce was driving home to visit his grandmother, when he started to experience a tonic-clonic seizure, also known as a grand mal seizure. He was later diagnosed with epilepsy, according to court records.
The settlement was reached May 4 in U.S. District Court in Oakland, according to Craig Peters, one of Bruce’s attorneys, according to KTVU. Hercules will pay $1.25 million on behalf of the city and officers Angel Garcia, Michael Thompson and Joshua Goldstein. The Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District and paramedic Daniel Collyer will pay an additional $100,000, Peters’ law firm told KTVU.
Bruce’s 2025 lawsuit accused the officers and emergency responders of excessive force, battery, false arrest, negligence, defamation and violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Bruce’s attorneys alleged that officers failed to recognize he was suffering from a medical emergency and used force when he did not respond to their commands. The officers’ actions included removing him from his vehicle and using a Taser, according to the lawsuit.
The city and fire protection district have denied wrongdoing.
In a February 2026 court filing, they argued that Bruce’s messages with his parents and employment records should be disclosed to help assess his claims and his demand for at least $10 million in damages.
Bruce’s attorneys argued that the case involved the beating and arrest of a young man who was confused and exhausted after a seizure.
They said video footage contradicted a paramedic’s report, which described Bruce as combative and quoted him as threatening officers.
Hercules police Chief Brian Albertson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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This article originally published at Hercules agrees to $1.35 million settlement with man Tased during seizure.
