CHICAGO (January 21, 2026) – The Chicago City County Council approved a $22 million settlement Wednesday for the family of a 25-year-old man who was killed in a West Side crash stemming from an “unnecessary and extremely dangerous” vehicle pursuit involving the Chicago Police Department.
On June 16, 2023, a group of Chicago Police officers began a high-speed chase of a vehicle in violation of CPD policy. The officers pursued the vehicle at a high rate of speed for about 2.5 miles along residential and commercial streets. As the driver of the vehicle continued to flee from police, he crashed into several vehicles, including one driven by 25-year-old Angel Eduardo Montesinos in the 3800 block of Roosevelt Road. Mr. Montesinos was transported to Mt. Sinai hospital in critical condition, where he later died of his injuries.
The teen driver of the vehicle was arrested at the scene.
Mr. Montesinos’ family filed a lawsuit against the City of Chicago in October 2023, claiming the officers violated Chicago Police Department policies in their pursuit of the vehicle, failed to notify the Office of Emergency Management of the pursuit, and did not activate their emergency lights or sirens as they sped through rush hour traffic on residential and commercial areas, posing a substantial risk to the safety of others, as demonstrated by the crash that killed Mr. Montesinos.
The police officer who was behind the wheel at the time of the crash was relieved of his police powers following a COPA investigation into the incident.
The City of Chicago admitted liability for the deadly pursuit in August 2025 and a damages-only trial was scheduled to begin on September 16, 2025, in Cook County Circuit Court. The parties entered into a settlement agreement just days before the case was set to proceed to trial in September 2025. The City County Council approved the $22 million settlement during their weekly meeting on January 21, 2026. $20 million of the settlement will be paid by the city, and $2 million will be paid by the city’s insurance.
“Angel’s family is heartbroken that his life was taken from him far too young because of this senseless act of negligence,” Plaintiff’s attorney Lance D. Northcutt said. “Today, the city avoided the exposure of a jury verdict that would have potentially reached into the nine figures. But there are no winners here, just the aftermath of a senseless and profound loss.”
The plaintiff was also represented by Aaron D. Boeder, Emily T. Art, and Eirene N. Salvi of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., with assistance of Zane Smith & Associates and attorney Franco N. Carone.
Plaintiff’s attorneys will be hosting a press conference at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, to discuss the case in more detail. The press conference will be held at the offices of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. (161 N. Clark St., 35th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601).
For more information, please contact Marcie Mangan at (312) 372-1227 or mmangan@salvilaw.com.
###
Case No.: 2023 L 010164 [ORLANDO J. RAMIREZ and JESUS ALVAREZ VASQUEZ as Joint Special Co-Administrators of the Estate of ANGEL EDUARDO ALVAREZ MONTESINOS, Plaintiffs, v. CITY OF CHICAGO; MICHAEL SPILOTRO III; ERIK ARROYO; CAROLYN PLACA; JOHN DOES, Individually and as agents of CITY OF CHICAGO, Defendants.]
