Romanucci & Blandin files civil complaint for death of innocent civilian in Chicago Police car chase crash

Karen Henry was struck during a dangerous and unauthorized pursuit of a property crime suspect by officers 

CHICAGO (June 23, 2025) – Karen Henry was a vibrant and productive Chicagoan who worked at BlueCross and BlueShield in the Loop, recently completed her MBA degree, cared for her mother, loved her siblings and best friends, and was passionate about travel and adventures. Her beautiful life came to a tragic and traumatic end on November 20, 2024, in a traffic collision she never saw coming and which never had to happen if Chicago Police Officers had not made the reckless and unauthorized decision to engage in a high-speed chase of a property crime suspect.  

On that day, 61-year-old Karen was driving her personal vehicle west on 60th Street in Chicago. She had no way of knowing Chicago Police officers had begun a high-speed chase about a mile away for a suspected car theft near 68th Street. The officers were pursuing the allegedly stolen vehicle, but the officers had not requested or received permission to engage in the chase, which is required under Chicago Police protocols. Karen, meanwhile, was lawfully driving her vehicle through the intersection of 60th and State Street when the vehicle being pursued by police struck her. A CTA bus was also struck, causing injuries to other innocent people. Karen suffered severe injuries when her car was struck, and she died that day because of them. Her death is the direct result of the willful and wanton conduct of the Chicago Police Officers and their reckless disregard for the safety of people in the community. The balance test used by police says the risk to innocent bystanders should outweigh the benefit to the community of the car chase, and a reasonable officer would have known the high-speed pursuit should never have happened, given the number of people in the densely populated area. 

The City of Chicago, through its police officers, had a duty to refrain from willful and wanton conduct that could endanger the safety and lives of innocent bystanders.  The officers showed an utter indifference to or conscious disregard for the safety of others in one or more of the following respects:  

1. Failed to operate the motor vehicle at a speed and in a manner compatible with conditions to ensure that control of the motor vehicle is maintained at all times;  
2. Improperly engaged in caravanning when it was not safe to do so; 
3. Operated the motor vehicle without due regard for the safety of all persons on the thoroughfare, including Decedent; 
4. Engaged in a pursuit of the allegedly stolen vehicle when the risk of injury or death to the general public exceeded the benefit of apprehending the suspects;  
5. Engaged in a pursuit of a vehicle along commercial and residential streets by chasing the allegedly stolen vehicle through multiple stop lights and/or signs in a residential neighborhood;  
6. Improperly participated in a pursuit when it was not safe to do so while chasing the allegedly stolen vehicle through multiple stop lights and/or signs in a residential neighborhood;  
7. Recklessly used the activity of following as a subterfuge for a pursuit; 
8. Improperly used the activity of “following” Emergency Vehicle Operation-Non-Pursuits under General Order 03-03-01 while traveling behind the stolen vehicle;  
9. Failure to terminate the vehicle pursuit in compliance with the balancing test which did not authorize a pursuit;  
10. Utilized their lights and/or siren behind the allegedly stolen vehicle in conscious disregard for the safety of the general public;  
11. Failed to abandon the alleged vehicle pursuit when it was the most reasonable course of action; and/or  
12. Exhibited a conscious disregard for the risk of injury and/or death by traveling behind the allegedly stolen vehicle utilizing his lights and siren while it was fleeing him. 

The law firm of Romanucci & Blandin announces the filing of a civil lawsuit. This case involves a collision on a City of Chicago (“The City”) street between Plaintiff and unknown offenders fleeing unknown City of Chicago police officers engaged in an unauthorized chase, causing multiple serious injuries and eventually death to Karen Henry. 

Lawsuit Details

The lawsuit was filed June 18, 2025, in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Law Division. Defendants in the complaint include the City of Chicago, and Jane/John Doe officers 1-20.  

The Plaintiff is Bethel Branford, Karen Henry’s mother and executor of Karen’s estate. The Plaintiff is represented by the Chicago-based national trial law firm Romanucci & Blandin, LLC’s Founding Partner Antonio M. Romanucci and Attorney Patrick J. Driscoll.   

Claims in the lawsuit include Willful and Wanton conduct by the Defendants, and the lawsuit asks for a jury trial. 

“The City of Chicago continues to cause tragedies like the death of Karen Henry by recklessly engaging in high-speed chases through densely populated areas. This wholly unnecessary loss of life is that much worse because the officers involved did not even call in to request, nor did they receive permission to chase this suspect for an alleged property crime. When will it stop? We hope that this civil litigation sends a clear message to the City of Chicago that it must do better to stop this willful and wanton behavior, and that CPD must prioritize the safety of law-abiding citizens like Karen Henry,” said Attorney Antonio M. Romanucci of Romanucci & Blandin. 

“Every day I remain completely devastated by the death of my beautiful daughter, and how senseless it was. This never, ever had to happen if the Chicago Police had used common sense to prioritize the safety of people in the community over a car chase. I pray now for accountability and that this type of tragedy never happens to another family again,” said Bethel Branford, Plaintiff and mother of Karen Henry. 

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC 

Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death. For 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients - many for millions of dollars and others record-setting awards.  Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors differentiate our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We are different from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured.  We are often inspired by our clients’ experiences and commit resources to create change in our communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.