Crime & Safety
Evanston Sued Over Arrest That Left Woman in Coma: Lawsuit
A federal lawsuit filed June 1 alleges Evanston officers pinned Felicea Williams to the ground before she went into cardiac arrest.
EVANSTON, IL — A federal lawsuit filed on June 1 accuses the City of Evanston and six police officers of using excessive force during a Jan. 5 encounter that left Felicea Williams in a coma.
The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by Jacqueline Hoffman, identified in court records as Williams' mother. Hoffman, who lives in Evanston, has been appointed temporary guardian of the estate and person of Williams, whom the lawsuit describes as an incapacitated adult.
According to the complaint, Evanston police officers Todorche Ginchevski and Jack Gutekanst responded at about 9:30 p.m. Jan. 5 to a report of a disturbance. While en route, the officers saw Williams, who the lawsuit says was unarmed, running into the street and attempting to enter a car. The complaint alleges Ginchevski grabbed Williams' arm, causing her to fall to the ground, and Gutekanst then grabbed her legs and put his foot on her leg to hold her down.
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The lawsuit alleges that four to six more officers, including Hoo Park, Amanda Fernandez, Michael Pagan and Jonathan Kurzeja, arrived and pinned Williams to the ground with their hands and feet. It also alleges that while Williams was handcuffed by the hands and feet, one officer slapped her and cursed at her. The lawsuit alleges officers then pushed her onto her stomach and then onto her side while holding her down by her head, neck and arms.
In the lawsuit, Hoffman alleged officers used excessive force to hold Williams, described as "a tiny unarmed woman," to the ground "despite her obvious signs of medical distress, including trouble breathing." The lawsuit further alleges that Williams was visibly grunting and gasping for air, became unresponsive and suffered cardiac arrest while she was being restrained.
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According to the complaint, Williams was transported from the scene to St. Francis Hospital and "has been in a coma ever since."
Hoffman is seeking damages, attorney's fees, costs and a jury trial.
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