A Chicago suburb is facing a lawsuit after a family alleged an arrest error led to a dramatic series of events that left two children severely hurt.
The lawsuit stems from a March 19 incident in the village of Bedford Park.
There, a disorderly conduct arrest led to a spree of auto thefts, culminating in a crash that left three people injured in Bridgeview.
The incidents began when Miguel Alvarado was arrested for arson-related charges at a Bedford Park Walmart.
Later that same day, police were called to a gas station in the Chicago suburb, where Alvarado was allegedly harassing employees.
During that arrest, however, video showed police turning their backs and allowing Alvarado to have a cigarette before he took off in a stolen vehicle.
At the time of the incident, Bridgeview spokesperson Ray Hanania said the suspect stole a police vehicle, then drove to the Chicago Ridge and Oak Lawn area, where the vehicle either got stuck or became disabled.
Hanania said the suspect then exited the squad car and came across an occupied U.S. Postal Service truck and stole the vehicle from the driver, forcibly removing them before proceeding northbound on Roberts Road.
The suspect then collided with a vehicle occupied by a family of three, a mother and her two young children, ages 3 and 7.
The Odeh family said the two children were severely injured in the crash.
The lawsuit argued Alvarado should have been placed in handcuffs and prevented from doing harm.
“When police officers have a danger in their grasp, don’t allow them to have a cigarette and give them the opportunity to flee police officers,” Attorney Jack Casciato said.
Alvarado has since died and was not named in the lawsuit.
Bedford Park did not immediately respond to NBC Chicago’s request for comment.