State police charged a trucker with multiple counts including resisting arrest. But the trucker tells a very different story. His story has a state trooper driving dangerously, using a taser unnecessarily, and later lying about the whole incident. The truck driver has now filed a lawsuit against the trooper.
Both sides of the story can agree on a few facts. Truck driver Dale Hollobaugh was driving along I-70 in PA near exit 40. Trooper Robert Jacobs was in an unmarked black SUV on the side of the road. And that’s about where the agreement ends.
Trooper Jacobs claims that he saw Hollobaugh and another car speeding. PA State Police say that Jacobs went to pull over the car, but then saw that Hollobaugh was driving erratically and tailgating him. According to Hollobaugh’s lawsuit though, Jacobs’ SUV pulled out right in front of Hollobaugh. This caused him to slam on the brakes and “take evasive action” to avoid hitting the SUV.
Jacobs then pulled over to the side of the road. According to police, he did this intending to pull the truck over, letting the truck pull ahead of him. But to Hollobaugh, that action looked like what one would do after an accident. Unsure of whether he had hit the SUV, Hollobaugh pulled up behind the SUV on the offramp.
Unaware that the SUV was a police vehicle, Hollobaugh got out of his truck and approached. Police say that Hollobaugh was yelling and “aggressively approached police with his fist balled up.”
When Hollobaugh got close, Trooper Jacobs got out the vehicle. Authorities claim that Trooper Jacobs placed a hand on Hollobaugh’s chest to “assist him to the front of the vehicle” and that Hollobaugh “swung his hand” at the officer and tried to walk away. But the lawsuit claims instead that Hollobaugh, seeing that this was a police officer, attempted to comply with the orders he was given. Despite that, the officer “struck Hollobaugh in the chest.”
Both sides agree that Jacobs then tasered Hollobaugh in the back.
According to the lawsuit, Jacobs then knelt on Hollobaugh’s back while handcuffing him. He then allegedly picked him up off the ground by the handcuffs despite Hollobaugh’s cries of pain.
Hollobaugh was charged with risking a catastrophe, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, recklessly endangering another person, and multiple traffic violations.
Hollobaugh was admitted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) Program in July of 2020 for a six-month stint. ARD is a program which PA offers to some first-time, non-violent offenders instead of a prison sentence. After completion of the program, criminal charges against the offenders are expunged.
According to the Observer-Reporter, Hollobaugh was accepted into the ARD program on all charges except for the charge of risking a catastrophe which was dismissed.
The lawsuit that Hollobaugh filed is not against the Pennsylvania State Police, but rather against Trooper Jacobs specifically. It alleges that Jacobs used excessive force and falsely accused him of crimes.
You can learn more about the lawsuit by checking out the files here.
Source: justicia, cbslocal, observerreporter, ard, facebook
Pete Emmert says
I hope this Trucker loses the suit. I’m almost a100% sure he was disrespectful as most independents are. They seem to have this mentality of being above the law. they totally disrespect safety and laws
Clarence Easter says
Where anywhere in the article say anything about trucker being a independent
Shamus P. Cella says
Pretty ignorant of you to “ASSUME” the driver is at fault. I tend to lean the other way in matters like this. More times than not, a good many, not all, law enforcement tend to be excessive with their authority. Though, I do see, more often than not, drivers tailgating and drive erratically. I’m sure the “JUDGE” will be more than capable of deciding who’s at fault for what !!
David says
This doesn’t specify whether he was an independent driver or not. I hope he wins this case. Even if he was speaking disrespectful. Being disrespectful does not give grounds to tase someone OR hurt someone.
Seems like you must likely don’t know anything about this field of work. Either that or you are new working for swift, cr England, or crst.
Carl says
Or maybe an over zealous officer him self ! No one was there so I’d say just because you are an officer in an unmarked vehicle you should be more cautious when pulling out from the side of the road, I personally don’t think any state should use un marked vehicles for traffic control. This just sets up everything for a disaster on the side of the road. Very possible the officer did pull out in front of the truck then got off the ramp the officer should have got out right away and explained his actions and just apologized, seems like we all got Big egos. So sorry this has happened. I have fifty years on the road things have certainly changed some of our drivers and officer’s have Big heads. Let’s have a little more understanding after all we are human.we do make mistakes.
Clark blasdel says
I agree with you about unmarked polce cruisers…Im old enough to remember when only dectives had unmarked vehicles ,inner city and state police were issued marked vehicles.
Anonymous says
Here is the deal Pete,
You have no evidence that either the trooper or the truck driver was in the right. So to wish someone wrong because of your feelings towards independent truck drivers just goes to show how you have a prejudice towards other fellow drivers.
It should not matter if he was a 1st day Swift trainee or a 70+ grandfather driver who owns a beautiful Peterbilt, we are all out here for a reason. Either we love our job or we have a job.
Let’s think about this truck driver. He is going down the interstate probably doing 70 mph or so. He sees a black suv on the side of the road and is unable to get over due to other vehicles being in the left lane. As he approaches the suv, the suv then pulls out directly in front of him. How would you feel if you are having to slam on your brakes and risk a potential cargo claim because of this reckless (unknown trooper) driver.
So here is what we do know. This is a first time offender. Never had a record. Which means it would be rather odd for someone at this point in time to all of a sudden have anger issues.
How about we look at the officers record. (This part is the only unknown at this time.)
Does the trooper have a hard job? Sure.
Can they too get caught up in the moment? Yup. Was their a way to handle this situation differently? I don’t know because I was not their and do not have all the facts. I am unable to make a fair and unbiased decision.
Please look inward at this prejudice you have. Get out and talk with other independent drivers. Maybe this will help your thoughts on independents.
P.S. I was a former Deputy Sheriff and can understand both sides of this coin.
Toby1600 says
One of the most reasonable responses I have read.
james says
Amen,,,,,just another reason to always have your dashboard camera running. The NFL ref’s could then make the call on this one!
Noah says
Anonymous, That is the best advice I have heard/seen in a long time! Too often we jump to conclusions & formulate opinions especially when it comes to law enforcement adding fuel to the fire unnecessarily! I see all the time where State Troopers run up on DOT Bumpers & sit for short periods of time causing panic in drivers because they have lost sight leaving the driver to wonder if they have hit them or trying to get paid at their expense because we all know how big law firms like to go after us! In this case I think the driver should have been more level headed & approached the Trooper asking if everything is ok & making sure he wasn’t suicidal; thus giving the officer time to Identify himself possibly avoiding the whole incident.. We have to do our part & work together to keep our roads safe, after all we are holding the title as “Professional Driver”
STEVEN J CAWEIN says
Just the other day in fact – to explain your point…
I was southbound I71, 10 miles north of Cincinatti. Witnessed a OHST finish a traffic stop, and as the perp car pulled off – a small compact failed to move over and this obviously pissed off the OHST officer. I was thankfully in the #2 lane and witnessed this one with his Dodge Charger suddenly without turning off his overheads aggresively punch it (smoke came from the tires) and enter traffic to pursue the offender and got to 80mph in seconds. They have the equipment… I am sure by the way he was handling the machine… He was PISSED.
Moral… See lights… Move over. They don’t play.
Nate says
Dam Pete,
Next time you have a thought. Let it go. Don’t hurt your pea brain like this again.
RheumTrucker says
Okay ‘Mega Carrier’ Pete,
Why don’t you tell us how you really feel lol.
You’re obviously butt hurt because independents pass your governed truck all day long- like they used to pass me when I worked for Dick Simon.
Now I’m one of those meany independents that pass drivers like you all day long….. except in 55/60 states… then you guys pass me.
You see I don’t feel the need to do more than 3-5 mph over – unlike you, and I can do those big 75/80 mph speeds because of one thing- I pay for the fuel.
And to tell you the truth, I really enjoy blowing the doors off those slow company trucks- probably I did it to you.
Oh, I forgot to add, one of my close friends is retired CHP. We met on the side of the road when she was following up on a call about a truck parked on a mountain pass for almost 24 hours (I was rockhounding).
Oh, I forgot to add, some of my husband’s close friends are law enforcement and dot.
Oh, I forgot to add, I have over a million miles as an independent and not a single accident, ticket, or log book violation.
So Mr. Mega Carrier, why don’t you quit crying like the pansy you currently are, stop turning green with envy every time a truck blows your doors off, and get a job you actually enjoy- it probably isn’t trucking.
Wayne says
One thing is for sure from your comment. You don’t like Owner Operators. Which, by the way, comprise 70%-80% of the entire industry, so by that math, you don’t like the trucking industry.
Zidri says
I’m pretty sure you don’t even know wtf you talking about.
Johnny says
It was probably the officers aggression
Good luck in court.
Souldog says
Wrong GOOD BUDDY I have plenty of dashcam videos of how cars cut semi trucks off and give them the number 1 sign he will win and that’s a BIG 10-4
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Russell Schoonover says
First of all cop as not always right as per MN cop with the knee to the neck and second that cop didn’t have to cut the truck off to stop the car and yes the driver may have tailgated trying to slow down. You need the whole story and yes some cops have very big ego’s
Christopher says
That is sad you are basing his “guilt” on the assumption that he must be disrespectful because he is an independent! If you were to read this again without bias you would see the cop was in front of the truck. But the cop says he saw a car speeding and began to pull over the car. Think for a second. If the cop was starting (began to) to pull this car then wouldn’t his lights be on? If his lights were on then wouldn’t the car be pulling over? But if no lights were on and the cop pulled out in front of the truck wouldn’t it look as if “just another 4 wheeler” was forcing out into traffic. If so and no warnings were given the trucker would have had to take immediate action to keep from a collision. With that thought in mind the cop pulls out with no warning then hits the shoulder to get the truck again no warning the trucker obviously braked down cause he pulled up behind the cop and without any lights on no doubt assumed it was “just another 4 wheeler” and no doubt the trucker was both pissed and worried he had hit him due to no lights warning him of the irrational traffic incursion. If his lights were on then the car would have most likely hit the shoulder and the trucker would not have got out to go confront the 4 wheeler either. I’m sorry but there are rules of engagement for driving hazardously even for an officer and the biggie is the lights and we all know it. Your statement sounded full of jealousy than anything else.
J Ossowski says
The officer could have been waiting until he was closer to the car he wanted to catch before turning his lights on. Notice the part about it being an “unmarked car”. Some officers do that so the driver won’t know they are being pursued and run, causing a chase to ensue. We have all heard stories about what can happen during chases. I will grant that pulling out, as was reported, in front of ANY traffic is not very bright. Some officers don “blinders” at the start of a pursuit and don’t pay attention to traffic, concentrating on their target. I was a city cop in Albuquerque and had a chase or two before entering the “relaxing” field of big time trucking.
Sam G. says
Yeah cops are like that. Should be video of what happened…if it doesn’t get lost. If the drivers story is false then he should go to jail for real. If the trooper is lying then he should lose his job and go to jail. If there’s no video you know it’s a cover-up.
J Ossowski says
That’s one reason I bought and will always use a dash cam. Mine saved me $100,000 in a lawsuit in New Jersey several years ago.
Edward B. Mauri says
So did the Trooper not have a body camera, or a camera on their patrol car? Did the driver not have a dash camera?
Loghin GRIGORESCU says
I HOPE THE DRIVER HAS A CAMERA ON BORD,TO PROVE HIS CLAIMS.
THE TRUPERS ARE NOT ANGELS EITHER.
RheumTrucker says
@Loghin, do you realize that writing in all caps makes your statement appear as if you are YELLING.
I used to do that- until someone kindly pointed it out to me. 🙂
Erik Navarette says
The part that I’m having trouble with, is the fact that the trooper can use force as he/she deems necessary in the “heat of the moment”. All we have to do is walk with our “fist balled up”, and that is considered a situation that warrants force to be used. The use of force, any force, should require a few more boxes to be checked off, and I’m just not seeing them. Realistically, it seems the officer had some bias about truckers if he/she assumed that just because he was walking with his fist balled up he was fixing to assault someone. The article did say he was “walking” towards the officer. It did not say “running” towards the officer. I think that when you look at the officers account very closely, you can start to see a little more clearly what is going on here. That, and the fact that anytime I have been pulled over, it was from a trooper coming up from the rear, not pulling out in front of my vehicle. Definitely an interesting case. Body and dash cam footage would certainly help shed some light on things.
Erik Navarette says
To be clear, I’m not assuming that the truck driver was completely in the right either. I’m simply pointing out that both parties were probably in the heat of the moment, but only one of the parties has the authority to use force. This should come with more restraint than it did in this situation, especially since A) he (trucker) was apparently unarmed (or this would have been a very different article). And B) in the officers own words, was “walking”. Individuals who can succumb to the use of force decision so easily, should not be working the streets. JMHO!
Ronnie F Hatchell says
the trucker probably was not just driving at 63 mph in a 65 zone like most should be doing…i see bad dangerous truckers everytime i travel the interstate..i also see great truck drivers…i learned along time ago to slow down and be safer and save MONEY and a lot less stress… also i do not worry about proper grammer, it does not add cash in my bank account but saving diesel and broken down trucks save me much more. so slow down and make more money and yes you may see that other trucker pass you doing 70 mph about three times until you both get to the consignee
John Simons says
Hence the reason I believe that we should All have cameras in our vehicles to record such incidents in order to prove what really transpired!
Russell Schoonover says
Cameras don’t always fix everything I got pulled over in Winchester Va cause the cop said I didn’t change lanes when he was sitting in his car on the side of the road in heavy traffic another truck in the left lanes I went to court show the ( cash ) judge the pictures and he changed it to another count same amount of money so I appealed it and cost me more money to appeal it so they still got there money even after I won the appeal and got the first fine back. Legal robbery!!!!!!
James says
Always film police, ALWAYS!!!! Cameras don’t lie and they (cameras) are career killers. The government and cops hate being filmed but love spying on and recording you and me, look around there are cameras everywhere, they are on and in every government building you can think of, every weigh station and all up and down the highways and interstates and they are not there for you I promise
Colin Genge says
I’m not saying who’s right and whose wrong ……but I’ve had many dealings with the PA state police (from assisting at accident scenes as a nationally registered paramedic, to DOT inspections, to having to hire them as escorts for superloads) and none of them, I repeat NONE of them have been pleasant.
J Ossowski says
At their academy the part of their brain that allows civility and pleasantness is removed and replaced with a very big burr. That happens at most state police academies.
David Anderson says
I had a similar situation about 30 years ago when I first started driving A State Trooper pulled out of the medium Right in front of my truck I had to slam on the brakes In the left lane So I can understand the frustration of the trucker But that doesn’t make him or the trooper right or wrong I was not there
Kc says
To much vague info in this article to go on!
Mike says
Just last week, I saw an officer on the shoulder of an interstate feeder road, perpendicular to the road, pull out in front of ANOTHER COP CAR that was speeding down the access road in order to chase down a car on the interstate. My guess is that the guy was also about go after the speeding car on the interstate but didn’t realize his buddy was already in pursuit. The officer straight up didn’t look left before he turned right and just barely avoided pulling out in front of the other cop.
Regarding this story, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if the cop pulled out to chase the other car and either failed to notice the truck or, like so many car drivers, had “train track syndrome”, where our caveman brain perceives larger objects as moving slow (thus why people get run over trying to beat trains) and thought the truck was farther away or moving slowly enough that he had time to accelerate after the other car.
Regardless, the super trooper, like to many cops, let his adrenaline get the better of him and he acted in an unprofessional manner. Sure, it’s a tough job, but if the officer can’t handle it, then they shouldn’t be doing it.
David says
Anonymous , said it as fairly to both parties as well as could have been said. Don’t pass judgement , until you have all the facts.
Coyote says
Why is everyone talking about the driver making a comment and not the story at hand. We have no idea what happened. But one thing we do know, law enforcement gets away with a lot. They are trained to lie and know exactly how to make a story go their way. Yes most of them are good guys trying to make a difference. We need them all. But there are many corrupt criminals in law enforcement and they can destroy your life. There’s a thing called the Blue code and they will back each other up! There are terrible, dangerous, idiotic truck drivers out there and it is worse than ever now. But if this driver is in the right I hope he gets a fair trial and takes that Trooper for everything he has
Drifter says
Times like this I’m glad I got a dash cam.
William says
Watch yourself when on I81 in VA. They have a scam going with the county of Christianburg and an fireman and a VA. State Trooper. The fireman pulls up behind you, tailgates your rig and then calls the state police to say that you were driving erratic and then they pull you over and give you a ticket. Those people can starve to death for all I care!
El Chancho says
Is it not interesting that some of our lower IQ brethren believe that police officer is the only profession where every employee is above reproach?
Dirty and abusive cops don’t exist, right?
The very fact that police drive unmarked vehicles is a huge red flag!
There are a lot of States that do not allow unmarked patrol vehicles because women were being pulled over and raped by people they believed to be cops.
In a situation like that, the trucker had no idea what he was dealing with as the cop abused his power.
Gary says
The best way this situation could have been resolved, was for the Truck driver to plow right over the cop car, and then no one would be speculating.