City, officers face lawsuit in deadly police chase involving stolen vehicle

CHICAGO (WGN) — Officers showed “utter indifference” to public safety in choosing to pursue a driver in a stolen vehicle who crashed into a Chicago Transit Authority bus and another vehicle, killing a woman, attorneys said in a civil lawsuit filed last week.

The suit filed by Chicago-based law firm Romanucci & Blandin on behalf of Karen Henry’s mother lists the city and two officers, identified as Jane and John Doe, as defendants.

Henry died the evening of Nov. 20, 2024 when her vehicle was struck by a driver of a stolen Jeep at the intersection of East 60th Street and South State Street, in the Washington Park neighborhood. The Jeep also struck a CTA bus, leaving several people injured.

Henry was described as a “vibrant and “productive” woman who cared for her mother and loved her siblings and friends. The employee of BlueCross and BlueShield in the city’s Loop was said to be passionate about travel and adventures.

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“Every day I remain completely devastated by the death of my beautiful daughter, and how senseless it was,” Bethel Branford said. “This never, ever had to happen if the Chicago Police had used common sense to prioritize the safety of people in the community over a car chase. I pray now for accountability and that this type of tragedy never happens to another family again.”

The lawsuit alleges the officers “showed an utter indifference to or conscious disregard for the safety of others” in deciding to pursue the suspected thief. It further alleges the officers did not request nor receive permission to chase the suspect, a violation of police department protocol.

“We hope that this civil litigation sends a clear message to the City of Chicago that it must do better to stop this willful and wanton behavior, and that CPD must prioritize the safety of law-abiding citizens like Karen Henry,” attorney Antonio M. Romanucci said in a statement announcing the suit.

The city’s law department has not responded to WGN’s request for comment.