Chicago City Council to Vote on $27 Million Settlement for Family of Woman Killed in Police Chase

Lawyers argue new evidence would lead to even higher payout if case goes to trial again

Mar. 16, 2026 at 6:07pm

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Lawyers for the family of Stacy Vaughn-Harrell, a 42-year-old woman killed in a 2017 high-speed police chase in Chicago, are urging the City Council to approve a $27 million settlement. The family was originally awarded $10 million at trial, but the city appealed and a new trial was ordered. In preparing for the new trial, substantial new evidence came to light, leading the city to offer the larger settlement "in the best interest" of taxpayers. Video footage shows officers did not attempt to help Vaughn-Harrell or her daughter after the crash, and the family's lawyer says they are prepared to argue for over $100 million in damages if the case goes to trial again.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions between police accountability and public safety concerns during high-speed chases, as well as the financial burden cities face when such incidents result in loss of life. The settlement amount reflects the city's attempt to avoid a potentially much larger payout if the case goes to trial again with the new evidence.

The details

In June 2017, Stacy Vaughn-Harrell, 42, and her daughter Kimberlyn Myers, 21, were driving home when their car was struck by a vehicle fleeing police at around 50 mph through a residential area in Englewood, Chicago. Vaughn-Harrell was killed, and Myers suffered serious injuries. Three years ago, the family was awarded $10 million at trial after suing the city and Chicago Police Department, but the city appealed and a new trial was ordered. In preparing for the new trial, substantial new evidence came to light, including video footage showing officers did not attempt to help Vaughn-Harrell or Myers after the crash. As a result, the city has offered a $27 million settlement, which the family's lawyer says is "in the best interest" of Chicago taxpayers, as a jury could award over $100 million in damages if the case goes to trial again.

  • In June 2017, Vaughn-Harrell and her daughter were involved in the fatal crash.
  • Three years ago, the family was awarded $10 million at trial.
  • The city appealed the trial verdict, and a new trial was ordered.
  • The Chicago City Council's Finance Committee will vote on the $27 million settlement on Friday, March 16, 2026.

The players

Stacy Vaughn-Harrell

A 42-year-old woman who was killed in the 2017 police chase crash in Chicago.

Kimberlyn Myers

Vaughn-Harrell's 21-year-old daughter who was in the car and suffered serious injuries in the crash.

Henry Harrell

Vaughn-Harrell's husband who sued the city and Chicago Police Department along with his daughter.

Lance Northcutt

The family's lawyer who is urging the City Council to approve the $27 million settlement.

Ald. Ray Lopez

A Chicago alderman who normally opposes police-chase settlements but plans to support this $27 million settlement after seeing new evidence.

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What they’re saying

“My mom was a law-abiding citizen. My mom was a giver. My mom would do anything for anyone, and I wouldn't wish this on anyone. My mom would have been here if you guys would have doneit (the chase) correctly, but you guys did it your own way, and now here it is. We have to suffer.”

— Kimberlyn Myers (usa-today-news.com)

“It will be far worse for us financially than if we just settle this matter now. The deck is stacked against us when you have the potential of having six children on the stand in tears missing their mom before a jury. The heartstrings will be pulled so tightly that I can't imagine us having any way out.”

— Ald. Ray Lopez, 15th Ward Alderman (usa-today-news.com)

What’s next

The Chicago City Council's Finance Committee will vote on the $27 million settlement on Friday, March 16, 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the difficult balance cities must strike between police accountability and public safety concerns during high-speed chases, as well as the financial burden cities face when such incidents result in loss of life. The substantial settlement amount reflects the city's attempt to avoid an even larger payout if the case goes to trial again with the new evidence that has come to light.