KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — Relatives of a 44-year-old Kansas City, Kansas, man who died after a traffic stop have filed federal lawsuits accusing the police of wrongdoing.

Craig J. McKinnis died in May 2014 after the car he was riding in was stopped by police, who said he tried to flee and died after a brief struggle.

Family members and his girlfriend have filed two federal separate lawsuits accusing the police of violating his civil rights. Both lawsuits, which were filed in 2015, together list several defendants, including the police department.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports that a lawyer representing most of the defendants denied the claims, noting police believed their use of force to be necessary.

From 1995- 2004 McKinnis had convictions in Wyandotte County for Robbery, Theft, Burglary, Flee/attempt to elude Law Enforcement, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.