Pedestrians file suit after vehicle fleeing from police hits Roseland bus stop

SHARE Pedestrians file suit after vehicle fleeing from police hits Roseland bus stop
pugh_042315.jpg

James D. Pugh | Illinois Department of Corrections

Two people have filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming they were among five injured last year when a vehicle being chased by Chicago Police officers crashed into a Far South Side bus stop.

Dechez Booker and Shaniece Wilson filed the suit Thursday in Cook County Circuit Court, claiming they were both injured in the Aug. 22, 2014 crash.

About 8:40 p.m., Calumet District officers tried to stop a vehicle driven by 48-year-old James D. Pugh, police said.

The vehicle sped away, police said at the time. While traveling north on Michigan Avenue near 103rd Street, it collided with another vehicle and then crashed into a bus stop.

Four pedestrians standing at the bus stop were injured, as was one person inside the second vehicle that was hit, authorities said.

The suit alleges Booker and Wilson were among the four pedestrians. Both suffered serious injuries and sought medical treatment.

Pugh, of the 1400 block of West 115th Street, attempted to run away after the crash, but was eventually apprehended, police said. He declined medical attention.

He pleaded guilty in November 2014 to aggravated fleeing causing bodily injury, court records show. He was sentenced to four years in prison and given credit for 199 days served.

The two officers involved in the pursuit, Pugh and the driver of the vehicle that was struck by Pugh’s vehicle are all named as defendants in the lawsuit.

The suit claims all of the drivers were negligent. Specifically, the officers unnecessarily pursued a fleeing suspect into a populous intersection and, among other things, failed to keep a proper lookout for traffic in the roadway.

The five-count suit is seeking at least $250,000 in damages.

The city has not yet been served with the suit, said city Department of Law spokesman John Holden, who declined to comment on it Thursday evening.

The Latest
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.