Kim Delaney, best known for her role on NYPD Blue, has reached a settlement in a hit-and-run lawsuit that’s been hanging over her head since 2022. The actress resolved the case this week with Dzhamal Badalov, who claims she slammed her car into his motorcycle while he was stopped at a red light, then fled the scene.
According to Badalov’s account, the initial impact sent him flying, but bystanders managed to stop Delaney before she could drive away. That’s when things took a turn—he alleges she made a phone call, received advice to leave, and took off for real. Witnesses reportedly saw her driving erratically, swerving between lanes, and appearing intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Delaney has maintained a different story throughout the legal process. She denied being under the influence and told a judge earlier this year that her perceived celebrity status put her in danger at the crash scene, which she said motivated her decision to leave. It’s the kind of defense that’s bound to raise eyebrows, though the specifics of what drove her choice to depart remain her side of the narrative.
The settlement, which was finalized on May 19, comes with a condition: a request for dismissal must be filed within 45 days for the case to be officially closed. Delaney has a final status conference scheduled for June 2, which should mark the official end of this legal saga. While the settlement amount hasn’t been disclosed, it’s clear both parties are ready to move on from what’s been a messy chapter in the actress’s recent history.
This resolution brings some closure to a case that raised serious questions about accountability and what happens when a public figure finds themselves in a traffic incident. Whether the settlement represents justice for Badalov or simply a way for Delaney to put the incident behind her will likely depend on who you ask.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
