Crime & Law
Pay $2.5M to Family of Woman Killed by Driver Being Chased by Chicago Police, Lawyers Recommend
(Michael Izquierdo / WTTW News)
Chicago taxpayers should pay $2.5 million to the family of a woman killed by a driver fleeing Chicago police, the latest in a long series of deadly crashes caused by police pursuits.
Dana Hubbard, 32, was driving in the 400 block of West 59th Street just before 5 p.m. April 18, 2019, when she was hit by a Dodge Charger driven by Clarence Hebron, who fled after police tried to stop him near 59th and Halsted streets.
Hebron, who was charged with reckless homicide in connection with Hubbard’s death, was charged in November 2020 with murder in connection with the deaths of his girlfriend, Jessica Beal, and her brother, Damien Beal, while he was awaiting trial in Hubbard’s death.
Hebron has an extensive criminal history, including a 2007 conviction for second-degree murder and charges for theft and for being an armed habitual criminal, records show.
The department changed its policy for vehicle pursuits in August 2020. That policy now requires officers to “consider the need for immediate apprehension of an eluding suspect and the requirement to protect the public from the danger created by eluding offenders” and ensures that no officer could be disciplined for terminating a pursuit.
Chicago taxpayers spent $51.4 million from 2019 to 2023 to resolve lawsuits brought by 16 people injured during police pursuits, according to an analysis of city data by WTTW News.
Marked police cars must also take the lead in pursuits, and activate their lights and sirens, according to the revised policy.
The proposed $2.5 million settlement is set to be considered Monday by the City Council’s Finance Committee. A final vote of the City Council could come on Wednesday.
In all, it has cost Chicago taxpayers nearly $71.9 million since 2019 to resolve lawsuits brought by the families of those killed during police pursuits and those seriously injured, with the city’s insurance coverage paying an additional $25 million, according to WTTW News’ analysis.
In a separate case, alderpeople will consider paying $410,000 to the family of a man who sued the city, alledging that former Chicago Police Officer Louis Garcia arrested him in 2019 and beat him severely.
The lawsuit filed by Alfonso Paul Cazares, who was killed in November 2022 in a hit-and-run crash, alledges that Garcia falsely arrested him and beat him twice: once in 2007 and again in 2019. The city resolved the 2007 lawsuit filed by Cazares with a settlement.
The Chicago Police Board voted to fire Garcia in August 2022 for using excessive force against Cazares, who said Garcia choked him.
Garcia was charged with official misconduct in connection with his arrest of Cazares, but was aquitted by a Cook County judge in April 2022.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
