Accountability for Trooper in Daughters’ Death

Beth Janicek

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 395

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A mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit against an Illinois State Trooper who was involved in a car wreck during a police pursuit that killed her daughters.  She is seeking $24 million in damages and hopes to hold law enforcers accountable.  The lawsuit is about justice.

“One of the things that obviously is preached by Illinois State Police as a law enforcement agency is that people have to be accountable for their actions". "The message of this case is that accountability goes both ways."

An accident reconstructionist testified that Trooper Matt Mitchell was traveling 126 mph on Interstate 64 when he lost control of his vehicle.  The deaths were ruled reckless homicide.  The sisters were returning from a holiday photo shoot when the Trooper’s car crossed the median and slammed into their car, killing them instantly. 

I have represented families in lawsuits against troopers involved in tragic accidents during police pursuits.  The statistics are staggering regarding police pursuits and related deaths.  In 1998, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 314 people were killed during police pursuits – two were police officers; 198 were the individuals being pursued; and 114 were unrelated victims.  There needs to be some accountability to deter these troopers and harsher punishment for individuals who run from the police. 

For more information on injuries during a police pursuits or if you or a loved one has been injured in a police pursuit, contact my office.