- The city council approved the settlement with the family of Guadalupe Francisco-Martinez, a mother of six who was 37 when she died, after returning from her first day at her new job.
The City Council of Chicago, Illinois, approved this Wednesday to pay 15 million dollars to the family of a Hispanic mother of six children, who died after a police officer crashed her vehicle into the woman’s truck during a persecution.
The City Council of Chicago, Illinois, approved this Wednesday to pay 15 million dollars to the family of a Hispanic mother of six, who died after a police officer crashed his vehicle into the woman’s truck during a chase.
The Chicago Finance Committee approved a $15M settlement with the estate of Guadalupe Francisco-Martinez, who was killed after she was struck by CPD. https://t.co/YAIe2nhlq1
— ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC7Chicago) September 20, 2022
Upon investigation, it was determined that Guadalupe Francisco-Martinez’s vehicle was struck by a Chicago Police cruiser during a pursuit on the night of June 3, 2020 in Lakeview. The 37-year-old woman died as a result of her injuries and left behind six children. The youngest was only six years old at the time.
Additionally, it was revealed that the 37-year-old woman was on her way home after her first day at a new job when Officer Juan Blanco struck her as she was chasing suspect Marcel Oliver.
“The Chicago Fire Department had to get her out of her car and they took her to the hospital and to emergency surgery where she died,” said Mary Ruether, a Chicago city attorney.
“There will be enormous sympathy for the family of Ms. Franco-Martinez, who endured such a tragic event. And if a jury were to find out about the damages, it could be significantly more than the $15 million dollar settlement amount,” she mentioned.
FIERY CPD CRASH: Video obtained by the CBS2 Investigators shows a CPD vehicle speeding through the intersection and colliding with an SUV with such force that they burst into flames.
Guadalupe Francisco-Martinez, 37, lost her life.
The story at 5&6 @cbschicago @tvbrad pic.twitter.com/pFaKPeIx7C
— Megan Hickey (@MeganHickeyTV) June 4, 2020
Marcel Oliver was charged with murder in the death of Francisco-Martinez, while forcing police on the chase through the city, which ultimately led to the accident.
Oliver was driving a colored jeep, where according to authorities he allegedly reached speeds in excess of 100 mph, while following him, the trooper crashed into a Ford Explorer traveling north on Ashland Avenue.
In a lawsuit filed against the city last year, the woman’s family accused Blanco of speeding into the intersection and ignoring a red light that forced him to proceed with caution.
The lawsuit cited a series of police radio announcements that had ordered Blanco and his companions to end the chase long before the crash occurred.