The City of Buffalo is expected to approve a $43 million settlement to a woman who was paralyzed from the neck down in 2020 after being struck by a police SUV responding to a 911.
The settlement will pay for Chelsea Ellis’ pain and suffering, lost wages and what it will cost to care for her the rest of her life.
It is the among the largest settlements paid out by the city, according to the Law Department.
“Since I’ve been on the Council it’s been the largest,” said Buffalo Common Council Member Ulysees O. Wingo Sr.
Wingo, who has represented the Masten District for eight years, is chairman of the Council’s Claims Committee.
“Who could put a price on what this lady is going through for the rest of her life … and I don’t know if any amount of money would ever be enough for what she has to endure for the rest of her life,” Wingo said, adding it was a “very, very, very unfortunate event.”
“It wasn’t because the police officer was caught in the act of something nefarious or egregious; it happened in relation to an accident and that’s what an accident is: an accident. He was pursuing or answering a call and that transpired,” he said.
The proposed settlement will be considered Tuesday by the Common Council.
Ellis’ attorney, John J. Fromen Jr., said Ellis declined to comment Friday on the case.
“Out of respect for the process and the parties, including my client, the attorneys involved and the court have agreed not to comment publicly until final approval by the City of Buffalo Common Council,” Fromen said. “And once approved, Chelsea will be glad to comment on her case.”
Ellis, who was 28 at the time, was walking on a sidewalk on Main Street in North Buffalo with her friend Karley Mueller after a trip to the post office when the crash occurred on April 15, 2020.
Buffalo Police Officer Branden Lowe was driving to the scene of what would turn out to be a false report of a stabbing. Traveling at speeds…
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