Man struck by police vehicle files claim to sue

An Oceanside man who was struck by a Long Beach police vehicle as he sunbathed on the beach has taken the first step in suing the city, the police department and the police officer behind the wheel, according to his lawyer.
Marshall Starkman, 43, is recovering from a broken spine in the May 27 incident. "He's got a long road ahead of him," said his lawyer, Neil Greenberg of Westbury, who filed a notice of claim.
Starkman could not be reached for comment Friday.
Long Beach city attorney Corey Klein said the city's insurance company was handling the notice of claim because it was an auto-related accident.
Long Beach Officer Paul DeMarco was driving in a marked Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle when he heard some beachgoers call for help for a struggling female swimmer, police said.
DeMarco made a U-turn to the right when he struck Starkman, who was sitting in a lounge chair, police said. DeMarco didn't realize he had hit anyone until beachgoers told him, police and officials said. The Long Beach police department has ruled the incident an accident and Greenberg said he was awaiting the results of the department's investigation into the accident to be released.
- SOPHIA CHANG