$4.8M settlement reached in chase that killed teen in Cleveland
CLEVELAND (WJW) – The family of a 13-year old girl who was struck and killed during a Cleveland police pursuit has reached a multi-million dollar settlement with the city.
Their attorneys believe it is the largest wrongful death settlement involving a police pursuit ever awarded in Cleveland or the state of Ohio.
The mother of Tamia Chappman and her attorneys announced a $4.8 million settlement with the city on the steps of City Hall on Monday morning.
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Chappman’s mother said the money will never bring back her daughter, but she believes it holds the city accountable for her death.
“She was an amazing young lady, intelligent, beautiful, phenomenal young lady,” said Sherrie Chappman.
Sherrie said her daughter was a leader and the light of her community.
On Dec. 20, 2019, Tamia was struck and killed during a high-speed chase involving Cleveland police.
“I appreciate if the police could stop the chase. It’s not right. I miss my daughter. We’ll never get her back. But I don’t want nobody else, kids or elderly person, to get hurt during these chases. I hope they stop,” Sherrie said.
“The city of Cleveland didn’t follow its own policy, didn’t follow its own procedures, didn’t have common sense during the chase, nor any decency when they were involved in it,” said family attorney Stanley Jackson, with The Cochran Firm in Cleveland.
“I’ll never get my daughter back, so no, it don’t bring closure, but I feel OK about [the settlement] and just really want everyone, the police, to stop the chase,” Sherrie said.
Tamia and several friends were on the sidewalk on Euclid Avenue in East Cleveland, headed to a Toys for Tots event.
Cleveland police were pursuing a vehicle that was stolen from the Target on West 117th Street.
The chase went across town into East Cleveland and ended when the 15-year old driver lost control and crashed into Tamia, killing her.
The driver is spending up to 31 years in prison. His teen passenger was sentenced to four years in juvenile detention. The officers involved were cleared of wrongdoing.
“The supervisors didn’t do what they were supposed to do — that was evident — and the city of Cleveland didn’t hold any of them accountable for their lack of professionalism and accountability,” Jackson said.
“What we also intend to do is to change the culture, is to change the procedures, is to discourage police officers from engaging in conduct that injures, instead of protects and serves,” said attorney Fanon Rucker, with The Cochran Firm in Cincinnati.
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A city spokesperson issued a statement on Monday that reads, in part:
The City’s decision to settle this case was an extremely difficult one. The police pursuit in question was initiated due to a violent armed carjacking of an innocent 72-year-old woman outside of a grocery store. The criminals were quickly identified and cowardly chose to flee from police leading to the tragic death of an innocent 13-year-old girl. They were arrested, later convicted of crimes related to both incidents, and are currently serving decades-long prison sentences.
On one hand, you have police officers who were trying to do their job to remove violent armed individuals from the streets so they couldn’t victimize more people and commit additional violent crimes. On the other hand, a 13-year-old girl was tragically killed leaving her family, friends, and entire community in heartbreak.
The City had to consider all relevant factors prior to this outcome, including a potential trial and additional costs, but we want to be clear that there are no winners or losers in a case as tragic as this one and – while it is easy to point fingers one way or another – the fact remains that if the armed carjacker never committed that crime then Tamia would still be here with us today.
Statement on behalf of the city of Cleveland
The family had originally demanded $20 million. But attorneys said they felt resolving the lawsuit now was the best thing for the Chappman family.
“It’s been terrible for me and my family; awful to wake up and every day still see a chase going on, seeing somebody’s mother, loved one, brother, sister being hurt due to these police chases. It makes us angry,” said Sherrie.
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