Attorneys representing a local commercial truck driver have filed a $20-plus million lawsuit against a former Northampton County deputy as well as against veteran Sheriff Jack Smith.

The Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald of Ahoskie reported the law offices of Harry M. Daniels, along with the Chantel Cherry-Lassiter Law Office, PLLC, are representing Don D. Long II concerning the alleged unlawful use of force by Deputy Gregory Colson of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office that occurred on January 22 inside the Northampton County Courthouse. The lawsuit claims that Long, 39, sustained permanent eye damage and vision impairment due to the alleged unlawful use of force.

As part of a media package regarding the lawsuit, the attorneys released several videos, footage from surveillance cameras inside the courthouse that show different angles of what allegedly transpired. One of those videos found its way to social media where it has been viewed over 5 million times since Friday of last week.

According to the lawsuit, Colson’s attack on Long was unprovoked after he arrived at the courthouse for a required court appearance.

“Mr. Long opened the courtroom door to inquire about his entry. In reaction, Colson aggressively pushed Mr. Long in the chest, thereby commencing an assault against him. Colson proceeded to strike Mr. Long in the left eye and on the side of his head,” the lawsuit read. “Mr. Long called out for help, raising his hands in the air and shouting for assistance. At no point did Mr. Long pose any physical threat or exert any physical force towards Colson or any other individuals.”

At that point, Colson is alleged to discharge pepper spray directly into Long’s eyes.

“In reaction, Mr. Long instinctively tried to distance himself from Colson, at which point Colson struck Mr. Long once more,” the lawsuit stated. “Mr. Long successfully retreated to the hallway. During this time, he was in a state of disorientation and faced challenges with both his breathing and eyesight due to the effects of the pepper spray.”

The lawsuit further alleged that Colson launched another attack on Long.

“To defend himself, Mr. Long used force to counteract the aggression and assaults from Colson. Mr. Long halted his actions immediately upon realizing that Colson was no longer able to harm him and noticed the presence of additional officers,” according to the lawsuit.

At that point, Long was handcuffed and placed in a holding cell inside the courthouse. The lawsuit alleges that Long spent approximately 45 minutes in that cell and was not offered any medical assistance despite informing deputies that he was unable to breathe well and could not flush his eyes with water due to being handcuffed.

Long was eventually transported by ambulance to ECU Health North Hospital in Roanoke Rapids. The lawsuit states that while at the hospital, all restraints were removed from Long and a deputy informed him that he was free to leave.

The lawsuit states that prior to January 22, Long had uncorrected 20/20 vision in his right eye, 20/25 vision in his left and 20/13 vision when using both eyes. Thus, Long was able to successfully pass his physical examinations required by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, allowing him to meet the necessary qualification standards to operate commercial vehicles.

Long “now experiences 20/80 vision in both eyes and is mandated to wear corrective lenses. Nevertheless, the corrective lenses only enhance Mr. Long's vision to 20/30 in both eyes. Mr. Long is scheduled to have eye surgery to remove scarring from his left eye,” as stated in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit’s First Claim for Relief is for unlawful and excessive force, in violation of the Fourth Amendment, by Colson. The Second Claim is for assault and battery by Colson. The Third Claim for Relief is for assault and battery by Smith in his official capacity as sheriff.

There’s also a Prayer for Relief against each of the defendants seeking compensatory and consequential damages, including damages for emotional distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, and other pain and suffering on all claims allowed by law in an amount in excess of $20,000,000. It also seeks economic losses on all claims allowed by law; special damages in an amount to be determined at trial; punitive damages on all claims allowed by law against all defendants and in an amount in excess of $1,000,000; and attorneys’ fees and the costs associated with this action.

The plaintiff also requests a trial by jury on all claims.

In response, Sheriff Smith told the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald that as of Thursday afternoon he had not been served with the lawsuit.

“I’ve been made aware of the possible allegations and cannot comment on those due to the pending litigation,” Smith said.

The sheriff did say that Colson is no longer employed by the sheriff’s office.