No Charges For Naperville Cop In Fatal Crash

NAPERVILLE, IL — A Naperville police officer involved in a crash that killed a 73-year-old local woman won't be charged in connection with the crash, according to officials, but the woman's family is seeking more than $50,000 in a wrongful death case. Phyllis Manderson of Naperville died April 8 after a crash at Ogden Avenue and Feldott Lane. A spokesman for the DuPage County Sheriff's office told the Naperville Sun that veteran officer Tracy Heusinkveld was preparing to make a traffic stop on another vehicle when Manderson turned left in front of her.

Manderson's daughter, Carilynn King Murawski, filed suit against Heusinkveld and the City of Naperville on July 13.

The lawsuit claims Heusinkveld violated a Naperville Police Department policy prohibiting officers from pursuing vehicles unless they have a "reason to believe that the occupants of the fleeing vehicle have committed or attempted a forcible felony." It alleges Heusinkveld was traveling 68 mph in a 40 mph zone at the time of the crash in pursuit of a driver she'd seen looking at a cell phone, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The case is due back in court on Oct. 10.

Naperville police did not release information on the fatal April 8 crash until three days later. At the time, police said Heusinkveld, a 26-year veteran of the Naperville Police Department, was treated for injuries and released following the crash. Manderson was taken to Edward Hospital, where she died several hours later.

Read more on Patch:

• DuPage Coroner Issues Correction In Fatal Crash Involving Naperville Officer
• Naperville Officer Involved In Fatal Crash