Nevada Firefighter Sued Over Altercation With Woman

A woman who was injured in an altercation with a Sparks firefighter has filed suit alleging battery and excessive force. Maureen Hvegholm filed suit against Timothy Egan in Washoe County District Court.

The incident occurred last December and was captured on surveillance video. Hvegholm was reportedly feeding stray cats near Egan’s firehouse when the altercation began. According to the video Hvegholm appears to swing at Egan followed by him taking her to the ground.

Hvegholm’s suit claims she hit her head on the pavement, suffering a bruise to her forehead and a “traumatic brain injury”. A copy of the complaint was not available from the court’s web site or Lexis, but the Washington Post quoted from it as follows:

“Hvegholm has suffered a severe decline in her quality of life, her ability to move about freely, and her ability to care for herself independent of her children — as well as a looming sense of panic, terror, and lack of security in her home.”

The suit seeks damages in excess of $15,000 and an apology from Egan, who remains employed. Hvegholm was initially charged with assaulting Egan, but the charges were later dropped.