Nebraska City to Pay $70K to Woman Hurt in Police Crash

The eastern Nebraska city of Papillion has agreed to pay $70,000 in a settlement with a woman injured when a speeding police car slammed into her vehicle in 2008.

Alicia Johnston was a 28-year-old hospital nurse at the time of the crash. She sued in 2009, seeking to recoup $21,000 in medical bills, plus additional damages for lost wages, destroyed car, and pain and suffering. Her lawyer originally submitted a settlement claim for $385,000.

Her lawsuit said an on-duty police officer had been traveling faster than 60 mph in a 35 mph speed zone and had not activated the cruiser’s emergency lights or siren when he slammed into the driver’s side of her car on April 17, 2008, on a Papillion street.

Johnston suffered a broken hip and several broken ribs, as well as injuries to her left shoulder and back, the lawsuit states. She was out of work for several weeks.

The officer has since resigned.

The City Council unanimously approved the $70,000 settlement last week, the Omaha World-Herald reported. The city’s insurer will pay the settlement.

The settlement does not amount to an admission of liability or guilt by the city, Mayor David Black said.