Crime & Law
Pay Family of Woman Killed by Driver Being Chased by Police $4.5M, City Lawyers Recommend
(WTTW News)
The city of Chicago should pay $4.5 million to the family of a woman killed by a driver being chased by Chicago police, city lawyers are recommending.
Lakisel Thomas, 43, died in February 2021 after being struck by an SUV fleeing from Chicago police in the 7400 block of South Racine Avenue in Englewood. Thomas was walking to pick up lunch for her son, while on the phone with her daughter, officials said.
Isaac Wade, 20, the driver of the SUV, was charged with reckless homicide in connection with Thomas’ death.
Chicago police attempted to stop Wade because the SUV did not have a license plate. Wade refused to stop and reached speeds of 80 mph before running a red light and striking Thomas. Wade told officers he was on a video call with his girlfriend when he crashed, according to Cook County prosecutors.
Chicago Police Department policy prohibits officers from pursuing those who are only suspected of committing an equipment violation, like a missing license plate. Department policy 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.
Marked police cars must also take the lead in pursuits, and activate their lights and sirens, according to the policy.
In all, Chicago taxpayers spent more than $73 million from January 2019 to August 2024 to resolve two dozen lawsuits filed by Chicagoans injured during police pursuits, according to an analysis of city data by WTTW News.
In December, a Cook County jury ordered the city of Chicago to pay $79.85 million to the family of a 10-year-old girl who was killed after a 2020 police chase. That verdict is not yet final.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
