Louisiana officials have reached a tentative $4.8 million settlement with the family of Ronald Greene, whose death during a violent roadside arrest by Louisiana State Police drew national attention and exposed systemic issues within the agency. The agreement would resolve a federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by Greene's family, though it requires approval from the Louisiana Legislature before becoming final.
Greene, a 49-year-old Black motorist, died on May 10, 2019, following a traffic stop outside Monroe. Five white officers were involved in the arrest, which occurred after a high-speed chase. For two years, the circumstances surrounding Greene's death remained concealed from public view, with Louisiana State Police initially claiming Greene died after crashing into a tree during the pursuit.
The truth emerged in 2021 when The Associated Press obtained body camera footage from the arrest. The video revealed a disturbing sequence of events that contradicted the official narrative. Troopers used stun guns on the unarmed Greene as he apologized for leading them on the chase. Officers wrestled him to the ground, placed him in a chokehold, and punched him repeatedly. The footage showed troopers dragging Greene facedown while his hands were cuffed and his legs were shackled, then leaving him on the ground without providing medical aid.
Two individuals with direct knowledge of the lawsuit, who were not authorized to publicly discuss the agreement, confirmed the settlement terms to The Associated Press. Louisiana State Police spokesperson Capt. Russell Graham declined to comment on the specifics, stating that the process "has not yet been finalized." Mona Hardin, Greene's mother, did not immediately return messages seeking comment Tuesday.
The settlement comes after federal prosecutors declined last year to bring criminal charges against the troopers involved in Greene's fatal arrest. The decision left the civil lawsuit as the primary avenue for accountability in the case. Troopers had initially sought to pull Greene over for an unspecified traffic violation before the chase began.
The Greene case occurred against a backdrop of broader concerns about Louisiana State Police practices. In January 2025, during the final days of President Joe Biden's administration, the Justice Department issued findings that Louisiana State Police engaged in a statewide pattern of excessive force during arrests and vehicle pursuits. The investigation had been launched in 2022 following an Associated Press investigation that exposed a series of brutal beatings by troopers.
However, several months after the Justice Department's findings were released, the DOJ under President Donald Trump rescinded these conclusions. The reversal represents a significant shift in federal oversight of the agency's practices.
The proposed settlement now awaits consideration by the Louisiana Legislature. If approved, it would bring financial resolution to a case that has highlighted questions about police accountability, transparency, and the treatment of individuals in custody. The legislative review process will determine whether the state formally accepts responsibility for the events that led to Ronald Greene's death seven years ago.
