Photo: Diy13 / iStock / Getty Images
A Black driver is seeking justice after a Florida police officer broke his car window and punched him in the face after he was pulled over for not having his headlights on.
The encounter between William McNeil Jr., 22, and officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office unfolded during a February 19 traffic stop.
Viral video of the stop shows an officer asking McNeil why he was driving without headlights, to which the driver said, "There's no rain."
"It doesn't matter, you're still required to have headlights on," the officer said.
The driver asked to see the law that supported the officer's comment. The officer said he would show it to him once he agreed to exit his vehicle.
McNeil asked the officer to contact his supervisor before police smashed his car window. "Exit the vehicle now," police said.
An officer then punched McNeil in the face and again ordered him to get out of the vehicle.
McNeil complied with an officer's order to show his hands. Police proceeded to open his vehicle door and drag him out of the vehicle before appearing to beat him to the ground.
Following the traffic stop, McNeil said he suffered a chipped tooth, stitches in his lips, a concussion, and short-term memory loss.
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters announced Sunday (July 20) that an internal investigation had been launched into the viral incident.
"We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing a traffic stop represented to be from February 19, 2025. We have launched an internal investigation into it and the circumstances surrounding this incident. We hold our officers to the highest standards and are committed to thoroughly determining exactly what occurred."
McNeil has retained civil rights attorney Harry Daniels and Ben Crump "to help him fight for justice following a February 19 incident when JSO officers violently smashed his window and punched him in the face multiple times after he asked to speak to a supervisor," his legal team said in a statement.
Watch the incident below.
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