Inglewood Settles for $15 Million with Injured LAPD Officer in 2019 Crash [Inglewood, CA]

INGLEWOOD, CA (April 10, 2024) — The City of Inglewood has agreed to a $15.5 million settlement with LAPD motorcycle officer Michael Flynn, who was severely injured in a 2019 accident involving Mayor James T. Butts Jr. The crash occurred when Butts, reportedly driving a city-owned vehicle, ran a red light, initiating a chain reaction that injured Officer Flynn.

The settlement, which follows a series of lawsuits, awards nearly $11 million in a lump sum to Flynn, his wife, and their legal team, with an additional $3.96 million in guaranteed monthly payments over the next 30 years. Flynn sustained multiple injuries in the accident, leading to permanent physical impairments.

The Inglewood LAPD crash case has drawn significant attention, particularly as Mayor Butts was never cited or charged, despite evidence suggesting he ran a red light. The lack of charges is typical in traffic collisions absent criminal activity, such as DUI or reckless driving, an LAPD spokesperson noted.

The City Council initially rejected claims from Flynn, the City of Los Angeles, and another involved party, Karina Gomez, who settled her claim against the city for $450,000 last year. The settlement details emerged from a recent public records request, with final case dismissal scheduled for later this month.