Chicago Not Liable in Fatal Pursuit Lawsuit
A Cook County jury cleared the City of Chicago of legal responsibility in a 2022 collision that killed Dominga Flores Gomez.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Law Enforcement
A Cook County jury has found the City of Chicago not liable in the death of 55-year-old Dominga Flores Gomez, who was killed in a 2022 vehicle crash following a police pursuit. The verdict follows a three-week trial and a previous decision by the Chicago City Council to reject an $8.25 million settlement.
Why it matters
The decision highlights ongoing tensions between the city's legal strategy of settling claims and a City Council push to avoid paying settlements that might incentivize further litigation. It also underscores scrutiny over Chicago Police Department pursuit policies following an 11-mile chase that reached 95 mph.
The jury returned a verdict finding the city not liable after a three-week trial in Cook County. Legal fees to defend the case reached $703,000, while the city has paid $62.6 million for police pursuit claims historically.
The players
Dominga Flores Gomez
She was the 55-year-old victim killed when her vehicle was struck during a high-speed police pursuit.
Juan C. Vazquez
He is a driver who was convicted of reckless homicide for his role in the fatal crash.
Tobias Houston
He is a Chicago police officer who has been suspended three times for policy-violating pursuits.
Chicago City Council
This is the city's legislative body that previously refused to approve an $8.25 million settlement for the case.
The details
The pursuit of Juan C. Vazquez, who was later convicted of reckless homicide, involved officers running 20 red lights and several stop signs in an unmarked vehicle. The chase ended when Vazquez struck Gomez at Kedzie Avenue and 31st Street.
Timeline
September 28, 2022: Dominga Flores Gomez was killed during the pursuit.
February 2026: The City Council rejected an $8.25 million settlement.
October 2026: The jury returned a verdict clearing the city of liability.
Legal Context
This case sits within a broader legal environment where Chicago has paid out $277 million for misconduct lawsuits since the start of 2026 alone. The outcome signals a potential shift in how the city manages liability for police actions versus historical settlement patterns.
Residents may see continued debates over police patrol tactics and the city's budgetary approach to legal liabilities. The verdict may influence how city officials weigh the costs of litigation against the risks of policy-violating pursuits in future cases.
The takeaway
The jury's decision marks a significant departure from the city's recent trend of resolving pursuit-related claims through settlements. Taxpayers and city officials continue to monitor how these legal outcomes influence both police department training and the municipal budget.
Further reading
Learn more about local policing and department oversight on the Law Enforcement section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTTW News.
