The city of St. Louis has reached a settlement with former police chief Joseph Mokwa, following a wrongful-death lawsuit filed after his wife, Janet Torrisi-Mokwa, was tragically killed in 2018. The lawsuit was filed after Torrisi-Mokwa was crushed by a 2,900-pound piece of concrete that fell from a bridge following a car accident. This settlement comes after years of legal proceedings related to the accident.
The Tragic Incident
On July 23, 2018, Janet Torrisi-Mokwa, 58, was driving her vehicle on Forest Park Parkway when a car struck a bridge barrier above. The car, driven by Demaya Angelou Love, lost control on Union Blvd, hit a curb, and then struck the electric signal and bridge railing. The impact caused pieces of concrete from the Lindell-Union Bridge to break apart and fall onto the parkway below. Tragically, one of the falling pieces, weighing around 2,900 pounds, landed on Torrisi-Mokwa’s vehicle, killing her.
Torrisi-Mokwa was well-known in St. Louis for her leadership and contributions, especially her work with the Humane Society, where she founded the Women’s Leadership Council and was a strong advocate for animal welfare. She was remembered by the community as a kind and dedicated person who had a positive impact on countless lives.
The Lawsuit and Settlement Details
Joseph Mokwa, who served as the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Chief from 2001 to 2008, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city of St. Louis, its bridge maintenance practices, and the driver of the car involved in the crash. Mokwa’s legal team argued that the bridge, which had been rebuilt multiple times due to previous accidents, did not meet local safety standards.
The city reached a settlement with Mokwa, agreeing to pay $251,244.52 to Mokwa and $253,755.48 to his attorneys. Despite the settlement, the city denied any wrongdoing in the case. A statement from the city noted that they do not comment on ongoing litigation.
Joseph Mokwa expressed that he felt the settlement was fair given the circumstances of the case and the legal issues involved. His motion for approval was authorized by St. Louis Judge Scott A. Millikan.
Impact of Torrisi-Mokwa’s Death
Torrisi-Mokwa’s death left a significant impact on the St. Louis community. Her work with the Humane Society of Missouri and other local organizations made her a beloved figure. Kathy Warnick, the president of the Humane Society of Missouri, shared her grief after the incident, questioning why such a kind and helpful person was taken so suddenly. “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 said in an emotional interview in 2018.
Ongoing Legal Matters
While Mokwa has settled with the city and his insurance company, his legal claims against the other driver, Demaya Angelou Love, are still pending. The outcome of these claims remains uncertain as the case continues.
The settlement in this tragic case offers some closure for Joseph Mokwa, but the deep sorrow over the loss of his wife, Janet Torrisi-Mokwa, remains. The city of St. Louis has settled the case, but the ongoing legal battle with the driver involved serves as a reminder of the consequences of negligent actions and their far-reaching impacts on innocent lives.
