CHICAGO — The family of a woman killed during a Chicago police chase last November is suing the city, alleging officers violated department policies and showed disregard for public safety, leading to a fatal multi-vehicle crash.
The lawsuit was filed June 18 in Cook County Circuit Court by Bethel Branford, the mother of 61-year-old Karen Henry, who died after a stolen vehicle being chased by police collided with her car and a CTA bus in Washington Park. Thirteen others were injured in the crash.
Alleged Policy Violations at Heart of Lawsuit
The fatal crash occurred on the night of November 20, 2024, when officers observed a vehicle speeding and swerving into oncoming traffic near the 6800 block of South State Street. According to the complaint, officers pursued the vehicle without requesting or receiving formal authorization for the chase.
Moments later, at the 6000 block of South State, the fleeing vehicle slammed into another car—allegedly the one Henry was in—and then struck a CTA bus.
The lawsuit asserts that officers failed to follow department procedures, especially those requiring supervisor approval for chases and evaluations of public safety risks.
“The officers engaged in this chase with utter indifference or conscious disregard for the safety of others,” the suit alleges.
Victim’s Mother Speaks Out
Bethel Branford, Henry’s mother and the executor of her estate, described her daughter as a “vibrant and productive Chicagoan” who was known for her love of travel, deep ties to family, and caring nature.
“Every day I remain completely devastated by the death of my beautiful daughter, and how senseless it was,” Branford said in a statement. “This never had to happen if the police had used common sense to prioritize safety over a car chase.”
The family is seeking a minimum of $50,000 in damages and is requesting a jury trial.
Attorneys: Chase Was Over Property Crime
Attorneys at Romanucci & Blandin LLC, who are representing the family, argue that the chase was particularly egregious because the vehicle was reportedly suspected only in a property crime—not a violent offense.
“This wholly unnecessary loss of life is that much worse because the officers involved did not even call in to request, nor did they receive permission to chase this suspect,” attorney Antonio Romanucci said.
“When will it stop?”
City Response and Next Steps
As of this week, the City of Chicago had not yet been served with the lawsuit, according to a spokesperson for the Law Department. The city declined to comment on the pending litigation.
The incident reignites long-standing debates over Chicago Police Department’s vehicle pursuit policy, which has undergone scrutiny in recent years following other high-profile tragedies involving police chases.
Have you or your loved ones been impacted by police chases in your neighborhood? Share your experiences with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com and join the discussion about public safety and accountability in Chicago.
