Peach Tree Times

A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit accusing two Atlanta-area police officers of kicking and punching a motorist during a traffic stop nearly five years ago.

Atlanta’s FOX5 reported that Demetrius Hollins sued Gwinnett County in federal court last September after the incident in question involving former Sgt. Michael Bongiovanni and former Officer Robert McDonald.

Hollins is a black, while Bongiovanni and McDonald are white.

The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners voted to approve the $400,000 settlement earlier this month, according to the station.

"The settlement represents the final chapter in the quest for justice for Mr. Hollins," L. Chris Stewart and Justin Miller, Hollins’ attorneys, said in a statement obtained by FOX5.

The attorneys vowed to hold law enforcement accountable “when they violate their oath to protect and serve their constituents.”

Hollins originally complained that the officers employed excessive force, for which they terminated and charged.

Aside from Bongiovanni and McDonald, the former police chief and the county were also implicated in the litigation, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Bystander video footage from April 12, 2017, purportedly showed Bongiovanni punching Hollins after the latter vacated his vehicle with his hands up.

The Journal Constitution reported that Hollins didn’t appear resistant as he lay face down but had his head stomped by McDonald.

“I don’t want anyone else to experience the pain and horror I did,” Hollins said at the time he filed the suit, according to the publication. “My hope is that this lawsuit serves as a reminder that members of law enforcement need to treat people with respect. I shouldn’t be receiving justice simply because of a video.”

FOX5 reported that Hollins continues to suffer from PTSD as a result of the incident, which occurred he was 22.

Both officers are currently serving 10 years' probation.