FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The family of a Fresno father has reached a $3.25 million settlement with the City of Fresno after he was struck and killed by Officer David Hutchason on Thursday, January 5, 2023.
Attorneys say, initially, the city claimed 37-year-old Christopher Walker stepped into the roadway while intoxicated.
However, evidence uncovered during the lawsuit suggested otherwise.
Attorneys discovered that Hutchason was speeding and distracted by his cell phone at the time of the incident.
The police department’s internal investigation reportedly missed or mishandled key evidence, including the lack of body-camera footage, undocumented important conversations, and the disposal of Hutchason’s work phone despite requests to preserve it.
Experts also questioned the reliability of a toxicology report that listed Walker’s blood alcohol content at 0.26, citing traumatic injury and missing verification samples.
“This was a tragedy that never should have happened,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Adam Carlson.
The settlement aims to provide long-term financial support for Walker’s children and acknowledges that his death was preventable.