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Family of man slain in traffic stop sues Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - The family of a man who died in northern Illinois last month after an apparent altercation during a traffic stop has filed a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Rockford Register Star reports Eddie Patterson and Rockford Police Department officer Jaimie Cox were found dead where Patterson's truck crashed into a tree on Nov. 5.

Authorities say Cox pulled over Patterson, who was driving with a revoked license in a truck with expired license plates.

Patterson was found with multiple gunshot wounds. It's unclear if Cox opened fire before or after he became entangled in the truck.

The lawsuit filed against Rockford by one of Patterson's daughters argues the officer-involved shooting wasn't justified.

The investigation is ongoing. City of Rockford legal director Nicholas Meyer says the city doesn't comment on pending litigation.

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Information from: Rockford Register Star, http://www.rrstar.com

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