Nearly two years after a tragic accident involving a Phoenix police officer and a young girl, the city has settled a $10 million lawsuit.
Vanessa Andrade was almost four years old when she was hit by a police car while crossing a street near her home in west Phoenix. The officer had just finished responding to a call and was driving past an ice cream truck when she struck Vanessa.
The girl suffered a traumatic brain injury and the suit alleged the officer failed to yield and keep a proper lookout. A police investigation revealed the officer broke no laws.
Pat McGroder, attorney for the family, told KJZZ, “This was a case involving a young girl who was horrifically injured by a city of Phoenix police vehicle. Putting aside the arguments of both sides, in settling this case the city council evidenced a fair sense of justice along with a great deal of empathy and compassion for both the young girl and the police officer involved.”
The city will pay $7.5 million and the city’s insurance company will cover another $2.5 million.
