Maria Schwab’s family is suing the city of Chicago over the fatal River North crash involving Chicago police officer Tangie Brown

CHICAGO (WLS) — The city of Chicago is facing a wrongful death lawsuit after a CPD officer allegedly drove under the influence and caused a fatal crash.

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Maria Schwab, 56, was walking outside the House of Blues in December 2023 when a car jumped the curb and hit her.

Police said off-duty Chicago Police Officer Tangie Brown was driving an SUV in the 300 block of North State Street around 12:30 a.m. on Dec. 7 when she lost control of the vehicle and jumped the curb.

Court documents say the off-duty officer lost control after she dropped her cell phone while trying to use GPS.

Schwab was pinned against a metal fence and police said she was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she died.

Brown was charged with aggravated driving under the influence and reckless homicide.

Attorneys for Schwab’s family say the officer had just left a city-approved event for retiring officers and was clearly under the influence of alcohol.

The city says it does not comment on pending legal proceedings.

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