The City of Chicago has been named as a defendant in an amended wrongful death lawsuit following a 2023 pedestrian fatality involving Chicago Police officer Tangie Brown. The lawsuit alleges that Officer Brown, who was charged with aggravated DUI involving death and other felonies, became intoxicated at a City-approved holiday party before fatally striking a pedestrian in December 2023.
According to the amended complaint, the holiday party was officially designated as a City-approved event by a Chicago Police Department employee, who used a stamp to designate the work event at Tree House in River North as approved on or about October 27, 2023. The party was organized to honor 18 retiring CPD officers. The lawsuit claims Brown was overserved alcohol at the event despite being visibly intoxicated, a violation of CPD policy for both on- and off-duty officers. It further alleges that no steps were taken to prevent her from driving while intoxicated when she left the party.
The victim, 56-year-old Maria Schwab of Texas, was in Chicago for work when she was struck and killed by Brown’s vehicle on December 7, 2023, around 12:30 a.m. in the River North neighborhood. Schwab’s colleague, who was with her at the time, suffered minor injuries. The lawsuit also accuses Brown of failing to render aid to Schwab after the collision.
Tree House, the popular River North bar where the party was held, is also named as a defendant for allegedly overserving Brown. The amended complaint asserts that at all times relevant, Brown was acting within the scope of her employment and as an agent of the City of Chicago.
Cavanagh Sorich Law Group Attorney Tim Cavanagh, who filed the amended complaint on behalf of the victim’s family, said, “This tragedy was entirely preventable. The City of Chicago’s failure to enforce its own policies and ensure responsible conduct at an approved event contributed to this devastating loss of life.”
The lawsuit seeks to hold all responsible parties accountable and bring justice to the Schwab family.
Read the amended complaint below:
