The tragic death of Tamia Chappman during a high-speed police chase in 2019 has culminated in a significant legal settlement. The family of the 13-year-old girl has agreed to settle its lawsuit against the city of Cleveland for $4.8 million. This settlement concludes years of legal battles and investigations into the incident that occurred when Cleveland police pursued a stolen car suspect from the city’s West Side into East Cleveland.
The high-speed chase commenced after a 15-year-old suspect carjacked a 72-year-old woman. During the pursuit, the suspect’s car careened off the road and struck Tamia, who was walking from school to the library. The chase reportedly reached speeds of over 80 miles per hour and ended on Euclid Avenue in East Cleveland.
In the aftermath of the incident, the Cleveland Police Department initiated an internal investigation, which sparked controversy. Two officers were disciplined for joining the chase without authorization, receiving letters of reprimand. The Civilian Police Review Board recommended further punishment for the officers involved, but the safety director ultimately held the decision-making authority.
The court-appointed monitor overseeing Cleveland police reforms later criticized the city’s internal investigation and described it as having a predetermined outcome. The 15-year-old driver responsible for the carjacking and subsequent chase was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
