Million Dollar Settlement Reached During Trial for Family of Cicero Woman Killed by Truck that Rammed Car in Funerla Procession

Attorneys for the estate of a woman who was killed when her car was broadsided by a truck while in a funeral procession obtained a one-million dollar settlement of the case.

   CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, September 9, 2003 -- A one-million dollar settlement was reached by the Chicago law firm of Ambrose & Cushing, P.C. for the estate of a woman killed when her car was broadsided by a truck July 26, 2000 at the intersection of Austin and Lake Streets in Oak Park. The deceased, Rosalie Sawisch of Cicero, was driving the second to last car in a funeral procession entering the intersection on a red light. The settlement, reached near the end of the trial before Cook County Circuit Court Judge Lynn Egan, represents the insurance policy limits held by the at-fault driver and the now-defunct trucking company, Drifter Trucking.

   Rosalie Sawischs husband and children lost a wonderful person. We are very pleased that we could help to secure their future and to bring a measure of justice for this fine family" stated Thomas M. Cushing, attorney representing the estate of Rosalie Sawisch.

   Defense witnesses at trial testified that Ms. Sawisch left a substantial gap between her vehicle and the vehicle in front of her. Other witnesses refuted the defense witnesses allegations claiming that she followed the preceeding car closely and that she was stopped at the time of the collision. The plaintiffs attorney successfully brought motions to bar the testimony of the defendants expert witness, Kenneth Baker, from offering opinions regarding the speed of the vehicles. She was a wonderful mother. I miss her every day" said Karen Sullivan. Rosalie Sawisch was 59 at the time of her death had been a school bus driver for Laidlaw and an avid community volunteer. She is survived by her husband Walter, a disabled son and two daughters.

   The July 26, 2000 fatal collision was originally covered by a number of Chicago area media outlets and gathered considerable interest by the community not only due to the nature of the collision, but also for Rosalies extraordinary kindness and generosity in volunteering her time for her church, family, and community.
# # #