Louisiana Tentative $4.8M Settlement in Ronald Greene Case

Louisiana officials have reached a tentative $4.8 million settlement with the family of Ronald Greene, a Black motorist who died in 2019 following a violent roadside arrest by five white state troopers outside Monroe.

The agreement, confirmed by two people with direct knowledge of the lawsuit who were not authorized to speak publicly, would resolve a federal wrongful death suit filed by Greene's family. It requires approval from the Louisiana Legislature to take effect. Louisiana State Police spokesperson Capt. Russell Graham said the agency could not comment on the terms because the process has not been finalized. Greene's mother, Mona Hardin, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Greene, 49, died after a high-speed chase that began when troopers attempted to stop him for an unspecified traffic violation. For two years, state police maintained that he had crashed into a tree during the pursuit. Video footage obtained in 2021, however, revealed a different sequence of events. The unarmed Greene could be heard apologizing to officers as they used stun guns on him, wrestled him to the ground, placed him in a chokehold and punched him. Troopers then dragged him...