Cleveland to Pay $4.8 Million Settlement to Family of Teen Killed in Police Pursuit

The city of Cleveland, Ohio, has reached a $4.8 million settlement with the family of Tamia Chappman, a 13-year-old girl who was tragically struck and killed by a vehicle fleeing police in December 2019. The settlement, described as the largest police-pursuit settlement in Ohio history, comes after Chappman’s family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against 22 Cleveland officers, alleging that the pursuit was “egregiously reckless and unnecessary.”

Chappman was walking on a sidewalk with friends when she was hit by a car involved in a high-speed chase following the armed carjacking of a 72-year-old woman outside a grocery store. The pursuit resulted in the tragic death of the innocent teenager.

In a statement from the city, spokesperson Sarah Johnson emphasized that the individuals responsible for the carjacking and subsequent pursuit were swiftly identified, arrested, and convicted of their crimes. However, the pursuit led to the devastating loss of Chappman’s life.

Attorney Stanley Jackson, representing the Chappman family, stated during a news conference that the settlement reflects the significance of Tamia’s life and will hopefully lead to changes in how law enforcement handles pursuits, prioritizing the value of life and property.

While the settlement provides some measure of financial compensation, Tamia’s mother, Sherrie Chappman, expressed that it does not bring closure as she will never get her daughter back. She urged law enforcement to reconsider the practice of high-speed pursuits, emphasizing the importance of preventing such tragedies in the future.

The decision to settle the case was described as difficult by both parties, acknowledging the complex nature of balancing law enforcement duties with ensuring public safety and preventing unnecessary loss of life.