Family of Model Who Crashed into Chicago River Gets Millions

CHICAGO, IL - It may be one of Chicago’s most recognizable features, but the Chicago River can be deadly.

At least three people have driven a car into the river and perished over the last quarter-century. All three were driving on Blackhawk Street, a dangerous small road that comes to an end at the North Branch of the river, both on the east and west sides.

The family of one of the three victims will now be paid nearly $14 million after a jury recently decided the city was partially responsible for her death, according to Fox Chicago.

Irma Sabanovic, a popular fashion model was attempting to pick up her boyfriend on Goose Island on May 12, 2011, when she got lost and was reported missing shortly after. Nine days later, authorities found her body inside a car pulled from the Chicago River near Blackhawk Street, which only runs for one block both east and west of the river.

Authorities determined the 25-year-old Sabonovic was driving west on the street and plunged into the river. A final text message she sent a friend simply read, “I’m lost.”

The family was awarded $13,890,000 in a decision reached this week. A Sabonovic family member said the city’s responsibility stems from the fact that had a fence been constructed at the end of the street, Sabonovic would have survived the crash.

“Hurt, but alive,” the family member said.

In 1992, another driver, Ricky Roman, died after crashed his car into the River while driving east on Blackhawk Street and another man perished the same way in 2001.

More via Fox Chicago

photo via missing persons poster