The family of an unarmed man killed by three officers after wrecking his car on Mount Vernon Avenue in November has filed a claim against the Bakersfield Police Department.

Attorney Mark Geragos says the claim filed by the family of Ramiro “James” Villegas on Friday is the first step toward a civil rights lawsuit.

On Thursday, the Bakersfield Police Department said the officers acted within policy when they shot Villegas. They claim he reached for his waistband and was acting erratically after the crash.

Eyewitnesses at the scene that night said his hands were up, and he was cooperative.

– Anthony Pollreisz