Video: Police were trying to arrest an elderly Nyota Koya in a robe after her car broke down, she called the cop a pervert for touching her, she died seconds later in handcuffs, now the city must pay $1.4 million
Video shows Nyota Koya, 66, died seconds after being arrested while she was in her house robe sitting in her car over a trespassing claim in Sacramento, CA. On November 11, 2026 the city of Sacramento agreed to pay $1.4 million to the daughter of Nyota.
On November 17, 2024 Nyota was in the the Haggin Oaks Golf Course parking lot sitting in her car due to it breaking down days ago. Nyota had been sleeping in her car for days in the parking lot. The golf course banned her from the property and she was trespassed.
Nyota Koya and Officer Matthew Sterling
The golf course called police on the elderly woman. Officer Matthew Sterling arrived on scene and told Nyota she had to leave the property, Nyota said she didnt have money for a tow truck and that her phone was out of battery power.
Nyota asked to use the officer’s phone to call a cab and her daughter, but the officer said no. Officer Sterling gave the woman ample time to leave the property and he did offer to take her to a homeless shelter. Nyota is heard cursing at the police officer.
Nyota refuses to get out of the car after the cop said she had to leave or go to jail. Nyota closes her door and the cop grabs her and throws her to the ground. Nyota tells Officer Sterling to get off of her several times. The cop takes Nyota’s money and throws it on the ground saying the money will not be going to jail with her.
For reference, cops are not allowed to abandon arrestees’ property like that, cops must secure your property in a jail bag and give it back to you when you are released from jail. Nyota calls the cop a pervert for touching her in the thigh area.
Officer Sterling puts his knee on Nyota’s back restricting her breathing. Nyota is put in handcuffs and before she can be fully placed in the police car, she died within seconds as her body went limp and she fell back.
Officer Sterling acted as if he did not know Nyota was in medical distress and told her to get up, he then placed her on the ground face up and asked her whats wrong twice.
The cop then called on the police radio for medic and fire department help. Officer Sterling is seen kneeling and smiling over Nyota. EMS arrived and began life saving measures, Nyota remained unresponsive and was taken to the hospital, Nyota died a week later.
Nyota’s daughter filed a civil lawsuit against the Sacramento Police Department and the City of Sacramento. In November 2026 the defendants settled and paid the victim’s family $1.4 million. Officer Sterling was never arrested, disciplined, or fired from the police department after Nyota’s death.
