Federal Court Gives Husband Of Innocent Woman Killed In 2018 Tahlequah Pursuit Crash $7 Million

A federal court awarded more than $7 million to a man whose wife was an innocent citizen killed in a high-speed pursuit in Tahlequah in 2018.

Police say it happened after Aram Catron shoplifted about $100 worth of items from the Walmart in Tahlequah and when confronted by security, dropped the items, jumped in his truck and took off.

A Cherokee Nation Deputy Marshal spotted Catron and tried to pull him over.

Police say Catron refused to pull over and sped up and was doing 80 when he ran a stop sign and slammed into Malinda Phillips' SUV and even though she was wearing a seatbelt, she did not survive.

The ruling says the Marshal violated the Nation's policy that says pursuits should only take place for serious felonies and violated a state law that says law enforcement can speed only if it does not endanger life or property.

Catron is serving a 26-year sentence for manslaughter.

The Nation says the Marshal still works for them and they are reviewing the ruling.

Related Coverage:

1. First-Degree Murder Charges Filed In Tahlequah Woman's Death
2. Innocent Bystander Killed In Tahlequah Pursuit Identified