DALLAS, Texas — The family of 20-year-old Aresly Jaramillo plans to sue the Dallas Police Department for wrongful death after she was hit and killed by a squad car heading to a call last Monday, an attorney for the family told WFAA Tuesday.
The announcement was officially made on Wednesday morning at a press conference involving Jaramillo's family around the site of the accident near 8700 Elam Rd.
According to Dallas PD, the officer was in a marked squad car responding to a call without their lights or sirens activated while traveling east on Elam.
A spokesperson for Dallas PD said Tuesday that the investigation into the accident remains ongoing. However, according to preliminary information, Jaramillo was standing at the median near the intersection of Elam Road and Cedarcliff Drive when she attempted to cross the street. Police claim Jaramillo "ran in front of two vehicles trying to turn left onto Cedarcliff Drive, and into the far-left lane where the officer was driving" before she was hit.
The officer stopped and rendered aid, but Jaramillo died at a hospital.
Jaramillo had just graduated from Concord College, her mother told WFAA last week. She was excited to work as a physical therapist for children and the elderly.
Some unknowns surround the accident, such as the speed at which the officer was traveling and what their dash camera footage shows.
Attorney Jack Kovar is representing the family and said Wednesday that he and the family have seen the footage. He said that the officer swerved to avoid Jaramillo when she went into the street but struck her with the front left bumper of his car. He also said that the officer, per what department officials told him, didn't have his lights or sirens activated because of the type of call he was responding to.
Kovar and his team estimate the officer traveled approximately 10 miles over the speed limit.
"We acknowledge that this was an accident, as tragic as it is, but there are things that the city and DPD can improve on," Kovar said. "Another six inches, and she would still be here."
Kovar stated that the city has failed to safeguard the area with appropriate pedestrian crosswalks and that, at times, the traffic patterns in the area, due to speed violations, can be dangerous.
"There are not good crosswalks here. If there's negligence, it's on city planners. I just came from Highland Park--every 30 feet, there was a crosswalk. Here? That's not the case," Kovar said.
Kovar also said that he was displeased that no city leader had reached out to Jaramillo's family after what happened.
"I don't have the confidence that the city will do the right thing for this family and this community. It's been 8 days. I understand a police investigation takes time--but this family has not received one call from the mayor, the chief of police, or the council. I understand there's a situation behind closed doors where they evaluate negligence and the 'legalese' behind that. But as a Texan--I don't understand how you can't pick up the phone and talk to this family," Kovar said.
"Pay this family what they will be asking for--and spend the money you would be putting toward litigation on making this area safer."
A spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department sent WFAA the following statement:
"While we do not comment on pending litigation, this is a tragedy for Ms. Jaramillo, her family, and our department. There is dash camera video and still photography of the incident; however, out of respect for Ms. Jaramillo and her family, the department will not release it to the public."
Jaramillo's visitation is on Wednesday night. A memorial scholarship fund will also be created in her name for a Texas student wanting to go to college to focus on medicine.