A state trooper who passed away in a car accident only hours after he was told he would be fired for his involvement in Ronald Greene’s death was buried with honors.
Officials sought to keep the ceremony for Louisiana state trooper Chris Hollingsworth secret as it might spark demonstrations.
Hollingsworth was one of the six state troopers placed on leave over the death of Greene, 49, after a high-speed chase.
Officers initially said to Greene’s family that he passed away from severe injuries sustained after crashing his vehicle into a tree. However, police said that the state troopers ‘struggled’ with him during the arrest over a traffic violation.
Greene’s grieving family filed a federal wrongful-death suit claiming troopers ‘brutalized’ him and left him ‘beaten, bloodied and in cardiac arrest.’
The family also released photos showing cuts and deep bruises to Greene’s face, in addition to images of his vehicle, which seemed to show only little damage. This raised questions as to whether his injuries had been received during his arrest or the crash.
The 49-year-old’s death increased calls for officers to release body-cam video and prompted a federal civil-rights probe.
The US Justice Department and the FBI have launched a civil rights investigation into his death.
Hollingsworth’s family and state police officials mourned during the service.
The state trooper passed away from severe injuries sustained in a car crash only hours after he was told he would be fired over his role in the death of Greene.
He was airlifted to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Lt. Nick Manale, a State Police spokesperson, said: “The Hollingsworth family has elected to have a private ceremony for family and friends and asks for privacy at this time.
“Retired departmental personnel and active duty troopers who pass away in a non-line-of-duty death are afforded Honor Guard representation based on the requests of the family.”
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Replaced!