DCFS Trust and Daimler Chrysler Services North America and Alexander Levine

McHenry County IL: (Sep-06-07) The families of Gertrude "Trudy" Stephens, 55, of Cary and Margaret "Peggy" Lewandowski, 56, of Lake in the Hills, brought wrongful death lawsuits against a driver, Alexander Levine, and the companies that owned and leased him his vehicle, DCFS Trust and Daimler Chrysler Services North America, after the women died in a car crash. The women, members of the choir at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Algonquin, were driving to a performance in Rockford in May 2002 when an eastbound vehicle lost control, crossed the median and flipped several times before landing on top of Stephens' westbound SUV. The suit targeted not only the driver of the second vehicle, Alexander Levine of New York City, but also the companies that owned and leased him his vehicle, DCFS Trust and Daimler Chrysler Services North America.

In an out-of-court settlement reached, the families will receive $3.68 million, resolving the wrongful death lawsuits. The family of Stephens will receive about $2.1 million, and Lewandowski's family will receive about $1.58 million. In Stephens' case more was awarded because a dependent child survived her. [DAILY HERALD: SUV DEATHS]