JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The family of an Orange Park woman said a traffic stop in Jacksonville while she was delivering food for DoorDash escalated into a violent confrontation with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, alleging deputies used excessive force. The sheriff’s office said its Internal Affairs Unit reviewed the incident and found the arrest and circumstances surrounding it were within policy.
Tiara Young, 34, was pulled over because her taillights were not illuminated, according to her arrest report. Her mother and sister said Young was kneed in the eye by the arresting officer and that portions of her braids were pulled from her scalp during the struggle.
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Young’s sister posted cellphone video of the encounter to social media, saying it shows excessive force by Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Officer B.M. Magyar.
In the video recorded by Young, an officer can be heard repeatedly ordering her to roll her window down farther and to step out of the car.
“Ma’am, step out of the car,” the officer says in one clip. Young responds, “What do you need me to step out of the car for?” The officer replies, “Because I’m requesting you to.”
Police said Young rolled the window down about an inch and refused to lower it further, the report states. The officer wrote that after he explained the reason for the stop, Young turned on her taillight and stared at him.
The report says the officer asked for Young’s driver’s license, but she questioned why and searched through multiple handbags without producing one. The officer then ordered her to get out of the vehicle, according to the report.
After Young exited, the conversation intensified as the officer repeatedly asked for her date of birth, according to the video. At one point, the officer tells Young to put her hands behind her back. Police say she did not follow commands.
Young was charged with resisting an officer without violence, according to the arrest report.
Family members said civil rights attorney Ben Crump will represent them in a civil case.
News4JAX requested body-worn camera video from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. A spokesperson said the footage will be made available in the future.