Kansas City rejects $915K settlement for firefighter who killed 3 in crash
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Kansas City firefighter who hit and killed three people in Westport will not get a settlement worth nearly $1 million from the city.
City council decided not to approve a $915,000 settlement in lawsuits filed by the firefighters’ union and Dominic Biscari over workers’ comp benefits. Biscari filed for the benefit after he was injured in the 2021 crash.
“Neither the committee nor the Council has any existing plans to revisit the item. The Mayor s all City employees but also s ability for the harm they commit. The proposed legislation did not do so. Mayor Lucas continues to extend his condolences to those grieving the loss of their loved ones and friends,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement.
Biscari was behind the wheel of the firetruck when it ran a red light in Westport. The firetruck‘s lights and sirens were on at the time of the crash. The firetruck hit a car and pushed it into a pedestrian and then into a Westport building. The building partially collapsed about a minute after the crash.
The crash trapped a Honda CRV under the pumper, killing the driver, Jennifer San Nicolas, and a enger, Michael Elwood.
The pedestrian, Tami Knight, was also killed. She was waiting on the sidewalk while her boyfriend was unlocking his car.
Biscari was charged with three counts of involuntary manslaughter. He took what is known as an Alford Plea, meaning he did not it guilt but acknowledged a judge or jury would likely find him guilty. He was sentenced to three years of supervised probation.
The fire department initially fired Biscari but he was allowed to return to the department three years later.
KCFD changed its red light policy after Biscari ran a red light on his way to a call.
The new KCFD directive requires all KCFD vehicle operators on an emergency response to make a complete stop when they, among other things, are at red traffic lights, at stop signs, at blind intersections, or when intersection hazards are present.
The directive goes on to say the use of lights, sirens, and air horns does not automatically give the right of way to emergency vehicles and that KCFD operators must drive defensively, to be prepared for the unexpected or inappropriate actions of others.
Several in the audience held signs reading ‘where is the ability?’ and ‘no change, no justice.’ They were at the meeting to hear the decision on the settlement.
“Dominic still has his life and his liberty; Jen and Michael have none,” said Laura Norris, the two victims’ former employer. “So I am here, because they can’t be here to speak for themselves at this point.”
Norris spoke to the committee ahead of their decision.
“If you’re going to nearly $1 million, please do it on public safety, not worker’s comp,” said Norris. “Reinstitute driver training and create a solid plan for installing the Opticom system throughout the city.”
The committee denied the settlement following a closed session.
“In this situation today, I think we felt this was not the right direction for us to go,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “A tragedy shouldn’t lead to a windfall for some. I think that’s why you saw us today reject what was proposed for us.”
Mayor Lucas continued, saying he imagines there will be more discussions going forward.
“Someone remains an employee of Kansas City without resolution today, but I hope we have more steps in the future that, frankly, are common sense,” said Lucas. “Common sense to me suggests that in addition to extending our condolences to those who lost their lives in a tragedy several years ago; we also make sure everyone else in Kansas City is as safe as possible from harms that can be otherwise predictable.”
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