Plaintiff:
Rhonda Wheatley
Incident date:
03/04/2009
Location:
10900 S. State St.
Allegations:
Wheatley was lawfully driving with her two daughters near West 109th Street and South State Street when Officer Walter and his passenger Officer Solski collided with them at high speed. The officers' vehicle did not have sirens or emergency lights activated. It was not until after the accident that the officers switched on their emergency lights. Wheatley and her daughters had to be removed from their vehicle by fire department personnel and they were immediately transported to the hospital for treatment of their injuries. Officer Manriquez Cruz arrived on the scene and, together with Officers Walter and Solski, initiated charges against Wheatley for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle and driving without proof of insurance. Wheatley was found not guilty of the charges against her at a bench trial. The City of Chicago filed a claim against Wheatley to try to recover money for the damage to the police vehicle Officer Walter was driving when he crashed into her.