The city of St. Louis has reached a settlement with Joseph Mokwa, the former police chief of St. Louis, following a wrongful-death lawsuit he filed after his wife, Janet Torrisi-Mokwa, was fatally crushed by a 2,900-pound piece of concrete that fell from a local bridge.
The tragic accident occurred in 2018 when a car struck a bridge barrier, causing a large chunk of concrete to break off and land on Forest Park Parkway, fatally injuring Torrisi-Mokwa.
Mokwa, who served as St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief from 2001 to 2008, has agreed to a settlement that includes a total payout of $505,000.
The sum comprises $251,244.52 for Mokwa and $253,755.48 for his attorneys at Bruntrager and Billings, PC. The settlement was approved by St. Louis Judge Scott A. Millikan, with Mokwa’s motion detailing the circumstances surrounding the incident and the damages sought.
Tragic Incident Details
On July 23, 2018, at around 12:15 p.m., Torrisi-Mokwa, 58, was driving her vehicle along Forest Park Parkway when Demaya Angelou Love, the other driver, lost control of her car.
According to the legal documents, Love’s vehicle hit the curb, drove onto the sidewalk, struck an electric signal, and collided with the Lindell-Union Bridge barrier.
The impact caused parts of the bridge barrier to break apart, sending a 2,900-pound piece of concrete onto the road below, where Torrisi-Mokwa’s vehicle was struck.
Mokwa’s lawyers argued that the bridge, which had been rebuilt multiple times after previous accidents, failed to meet safety standards and was a contributing factor in the tragic death. They filed a lawsuit claiming the city was responsible for the dangerous condition of the bridge.
City’s Response and Settlement Terms
The city of St. Louis did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement but did agree to the payout. In response to the settlement, the city told Law&Crime that it does not comment on ongoing litigation.
However, Mokwa’s legal team expressed that the settlement was a fair and equitable resolution, considering the facts of the case.
Legacy of Janet Torrisi-Mokwa
Following her death, Janet Torrisi-Mokwa was remembered as a dedicated community leader and philanthropist. She was involved with several local organizations, including the Humane Society of Missouri, where she founded the Women’s Leadership Council and helped raise significant funds for animals in need.
Her passing left a profound impact on the community, with many remembering her for her kindness and generosity.
Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri, spoke to NBC affiliate KSDK in 2018, expressing the community’s shock and grief. “Why was someone who was so good, so kind, so terrific and so helpful to literally thousands, why was she taken too soon from this earth?” Warnick asked. “And that’s a question all of us are wondering about.”
Legal Actions and Ongoing Claims
In addition to suing the city, Mokwa filed a lawsuit against the driver, Demaya Angelou Love, and her insurance company. While Mokwa has reached a settlement with the insurance company, his claims against Love are still pending, as of the latest updates.
