A man has filed a lawsuit against two Evanston police officers and the department after allegedly being hit by a vehicle that was being pursued by the officers.

Paul Caldwell, who filed the lawsuit on Wednesday, is seeking $50,000 in damages, according to court documents.

On April 3, 2016, Caldwell was crossing the street at the intersection of North Sheridan Road and West Greenleaf Avenue in Chicago, according to the lawsuit, when he was hit by the car that Evanston Police Department officers were chasing.

The officers allegedly began the car chase in Evanston, pursuing a man who had committed what the lawsuit described as a “minor traffic violation.” The two cars allegedly drove from Evanston to Chicago and into the residential area where Caldwell was walking.

Robert Winter, one of Caldwell’s attorneys, said Caldwell had just left a church where he volunteered as music director for a choral group with a satchel full of sheet music.

When Caldwell came to the intersection and crossed the street, the walk sign for pedestrians was on, according to court documents. Caldwell was struck by the chased car and sustained injuries that required multiple surgeries, Winter said.

Evanston police Cmdr. Joseph Dugan and an official from the city’s law department both said they were unable to comment on ongoing litigation.

Winter said Caldwell had no idea the car was being pursued. The lawsuit alleges that the police car did not use its sirens to signal a car chase, and ran a red light while crossing the intersection at which Caldwell was hit.

Winter said Caldwell broke his nose and that his head landed on the satchel full of sheet music, and added that he believes the satchel saved Caldwell’s life.

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