CHICAGO — A Cook County jury has ruled in favor of a grieving family by awarding them nearly $80 million after a tragic car crash that claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl during a police chase in the Auburn Gresham neighborhood. The incident, which occurred on September 2, 2020, resulted in the untimely death of Da’Karia Spicer and left her father, Kevin Spicer, and younger brother, Dhaamir Spicer, with injuries.
The city previously denied its involvement in causing the accident but has since accepted full responsibility for it, merely contesting the appropriate compensation amount. This acknowledgment came after initial resistance, with former Mayor Lori Lightfoot describing the police pursuit that led to the fatal crash as “very brief” and not the direct cause, a stance that changed dramatically as the lawsuit approached trial.
During the trial in Cook County, overseen by Judge Preston Jones Jr., jurors assessed various testimonies, which included insights from Da’Karia’s parents and several healthcare professionals. After considerable deliberation, culminating after the final arguments presented on Wednesday, the substantial $79.85 million verdict was reached.
The case, as put forth by Patrick Salvi, a lawyer for the Spicer family, highlighted profound tragedies with lasting impacts. Salvi painted a picture of a tightly-knit family shattered by the loss of their “bright shining star,” stressing the irreplaceable gap left by Da’Karia’s untimely demise.
Initially, the Spicer family’s attorneys sought damages exceeding $140 million, reflecting the profound loss and suffering endured. In contrast, the city’s counsel, represented by Emily Schnidt, argued for a much lower compensation, suggesting a range between $12 million to $15 million, describing the higher demand as “shockingly excessive” and not grounded in the specifics of the case.
Schnidt, vocal about the city’s stance, acknowledged the jury’s difficult task of setting aside personal sympathies to focus on reasoned legal judgment regarding fair compensation. The two sides concurred on amounts covering medical expenses and future therapy estimated nearly at $1 million. However, they were sharply divided on compensation for grief, loss to society, and mental anguish, with the Spicer family’s legal team advocating for a figure over $117 million for these aspects alone.
Salvi emphasized the magnitude of the Spicer family’s tragedy and defended their compensation claim as commensurate with the emotional and societal impact of such a loss. This case has shed light on the broader implications of police pursuits, prompting discussions on the need for stringent policies that prioritize public safety while balancing effective law enforcement.
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