Williamson County settles Javier Ambler wrongful death lawsuit for $5 million [Austin American-Statesman]

Austin American-Statesman (TX)

The Williamson County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to a $5 million settlement in the Javier Ambler wrongful death lawsuit that claimed that Ambler died in 2019 after sheriff's deputies tased him multiple times while he told them he could not breathe.

The settlement is thought to be one of the largest — if not the largest — in country history and marks the latest development in a case that led to multiple indictments, questions about the role of reality TV in law enforcement and a new Texas law banning such relationships.

The lawsuit's claims included that deputies were encouraged to engage in reckless police chases and use excessive force while the "Live PD" television show was filming their daily activities.

The settlement includes $3.362,740 to be paid by Travelers Insurance and $1,637,260 to be paid by the county. The county has contended with multiple lawsuits stemming from allegations of excessive force during the tenure of former Sheriff Robert Chody, who lost his bid for reelection in November 2020 after one tumultuous term.

"While the Ambler family remains devastated by the loss of their son and loving father, they are proud that they fought for him and hope that this settlement and the changes that have occurred at Williamson County as a result of this case send a powerful message to law enforcement that ignoring a person's pleas that they cannot breathe will no longer be tolerated," said Jeff Edwards, the lawyer for Ambler's family on Tuesday.

Williamson County commissioners Cynthia Long and Russ Boles and County Judge Bill Gravell declined to comment about the case. Commissioner Terry Cook said it was a blessing that Travelers Insurance covered most of the cost of the settlement.

Ambler, 40, died in March 2019 in the custody of Williamson County sheriff's deputies who shot him with a taser four times while he told officers he could not breathe and that he had congestive heart failure.

He was apprehended after a 22-minute traffic chase that started because he failed to dim his headlights.

READ: Javier Ambler's family, lawyers hold emotional news conference on lawsuit against Williamson County

The lawsuit, filed in October 2020, also claims that Ambler's death violated laws against discrimination against people with disabilities.

Ambler told the deputies while being tased that he had a chronic heart condition, Tony Romanucci, one of Ambler's lawyers, has previously said.. Ambler also was obese, which was another disability, Romanucci said.

According to the lawsuit, deputies forced Ambler, who weighed 400 pounds, to lie on his stomach, a position that can inhibit breathing for an obese person.

The "Live PD" show was taken off the air after the Statesman and KVUE-TV wrote about the death of Ambler.

MORE: Former sheriff, assistant county attorney face new charge in Ambler death

Robert Chody, who was serving as Williamson County sheriff when Ambler died, has been indicted for tampering with evidence and conspiracy to tamper with evidence in connection with the disappearance of the video of Ambler's arrest. He has denied the allegation.