Family Hit by Chased Fugitive Wins Settlement from Cops

A Tacoma family that was struck by a fugitive being chased by police was awarded a huge settlement, not from the fugitive but from the police. It happened on Halloween night in 2014 when Tacoma police lieutenant David O'Dea started chasing someone in an unmarked police car with speeds in excess of 60 miles an hour according to news reports. The fugitive hit four vehicles in the chase including the car of the family.  That family was just awarded over $700,000.00 in a settlement with the police department because they are not supposed to chase and caused the unnecessary risk.

The lieutenant was suspended for 5 days and had to take a training course for the use of force and vehicle operations. The fugitive, Michael Haskins, pleaded guilty to vehicular assult and eluding police and received a 17 month prison term.