By Art Peterson for the Lake County News-Sun

A Lake County jury deliberated for less than three hours Wednesday afternoon before awarding $2.03 million to the family of an immigrant in a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Waukegan.

Wilson “Alex” Lopez-Ochoa was 21 when his car was struck by a Waukegan police squad car driven by officer Michael Newman on Super Bowl Sunday 2005. The Honduran man died hours later.

Jurors indicated they held Lopez-Ochoa 100 percent blameless in the accident. The total amount awarded by the jury was $2,032,992. That includes $2 million for loss of a family member, $20,000 for funeral and burial expenses, and $12,992 for medical expenses.

In closing arguments Wednesday, the family's lawyers urged jurors to award “millions of dollars” in damages from the city of Waukegan.

Deliberations began in the early afternoon, capping the week-and-a-half-long civil trial in the courtroom of Judge Mary Schostok.

Key decision for jurors was whether Newman, who had been on the force for more than three years at the time of the accident, was at least 51 percent responsible. If so, they would then determine damages to be paid to Lopez-Ochoa family members.

“Had Officer Newman simply followed the law, we would not be here,” said Lawrence Ruder, attorney for the family, “Alex did not have to die. The Lopez family will have to live with this loss for the rest of their lives; there will be an empty seat at the dinner table.”

Family attorney Louis Cairo urged jurors “put the Lopez family under your arms” and “return a verdict for several millions of dollars” for the lost love, caring, guidance and companionship from the death of “Alex.”

— May 24, 2007