Winnebago County officials have agreed to pay a $3.3 million settlement to the family of Joy Lambert, a Rockford woman who was tragically killed in a police pursuit. The incident occurred in February 2016, when a driver attempting to evade a sheriff’s deputy crashed into Lambert’s car at speeds reaching 91 mph. In response to the incident, Lambert’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county, arguing that the chase was unnecessary as the driver had only been speeding.
Months prior to Lambert’s death, Sheriff Gary Caruana had loosened restrictions on pursuits, citing an increase in drivers fleeing traffic stops. This decision was met with criticism, as many questioned the necessity and safety of high-speed pursuits. The settlement agreement, reported by the Rockford Register Star, was reached without any admission of fault from the county. The Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office declined to comment on whether an apology was offered to the family.
Sheriff Caruana, while expressing condolences to Lambert’s family, placed blame on the fleeing driver for the tragic outcome. The settlement serves as a resolution to the wrongful death lawsuit, providing some measure of justice for Joy Lambert and her grieving family.
