Lombard settles with driver struck by cop

A woman whose vehicle was struck from behind by a Lombard squad car in August, 2008, will receive a $40,000 settlement from the village, trustees decided Thursday night.

Audrey Felper, then 74, of Oakbrook Terrace, was stopped at a red light near Meyers Road and 22nd Street in Lombard when officer Andrew Siegler struck her vehicle, according to Lombard police records.

“It appears that officer Siegler ... looked to the right to place a soda bottle into his gear bag. When he looked back up, traffic had stopped. Officer Siegler was unable to stop in time,” states a memo from Howard Jablecki, an attorney representing the village.

Felper, now 76, sustained neck and back injuries from the accident, her attorney Anthony Russo, Jr., said. She accumulated medical bills totaling $17,420, according to Jablecki’s memo.

Felper originally sought $60,000 as settlement of the civil suit, but trustees authorized only up to $52,260 to be spent, Jablecki said. Russo said his client is satisfied with the $40,000 payment she will receive.

She mostly has recovered from her injuries.

“She’s in pretty good shape,” Russo said.

Siegler, who was driving a Lombard squad car at the time of the accident, still is a member of the police force, Village Manager David Hulseberg said.

“The officer was at fault and we’re just looking to make amends ...” Hulseberg said. “He’s a very good officer.”