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CHAMPAIGN — The City of Champaign would pay the estate of a St. Joseph man killed in a 2022 accident $2 million under a proposed settlement.
The agreement needs city council approval on Tuesday.
Ross Booker, a 20-year-old tow-truck driver, was killed when struck by a passing vehicle while cleaning debris from an accident near the intersection of Neil Street and Windsor Road in Champaign. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit, which would be dismissed if the settlement — covered by the city’s insurance policies — is approved.
“This is a very tragic situation,” City Attorney Thomas Yu said. “With the assistance of an expert mediator, the parties participated in formal mediation, which included a comprehensive evaluation of the risks and expenses if the case proceeded to trial. Ultimately, the proposed settlement was determined to be in the best interests of all involved.”
When asked for comment about the proposed settlement, Marita Booker replied, “March 5 of 2022, a young man was driving way too fast and killed my son. No matter what has been done, said or anything between then and now changes what happened.”
She added, “My son wasn’t protected. That’s where my head is, almost 23 months later. … None of this is fair.”
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