The Death of Joy Lambert

On February 8, 2016, Joy Lamert, a senior personal banker at BMO Harris Bank, was driving her Buick to work when Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputy Moski began pursuing a Ford Fusion for alleged traffic violations, without knowing who was driving. The pursuit reached speeds over 90 MPH and lasted more than two and a half miles before Moski decided to back off, though both vehicles continued down the same street with the deputy further behind.

About five seconds later, the pursuit ended fatally at the intersection of Springfield Avenue and Cunningham Road when the Fusion, driven by Graham, crashed into Lamert’s Buick. Joy was ejected from her vehicle and died at the scene.

Months prior, Sheriff Gary Caruana had authorized deputies to be more aggressive in pursuits due to what he described as an epidemic of fleeing drivers. Eight years later, Lamert’s family reached a $3.3 million settlement with the county.

Lambert’s Buick captured by Rockford Register Star.