Parents of man killed in DUI crash sue store, other driver

BY SHELLIE BRANCO, Californian staff writer
e-mail: sbranco@bakersfield.com | Wednesday, Apr 25 2007 11:22 PM

Last Updated: Wednesday, Apr 25 2007 11:21 PM

"The parents of an underage man who died after a drunken-driving crash in September are suing the liquor store that sold him alcohol and the driver of a car that struck his vehicle.

...

The Elliotts’ suit names Susa Wilson Chauncy, who struck the vehicle after it overturned, Miller said.

She accelerated instead of braking, and that resulted in the crash, which may have caused or contributed to Elliott’s death, he said.

...

This is absolute utter bullshit.  Do any of you recall the blog I posted shortly after this accident that included photos of my Aunt's injuries?  "May have caused or contributed to Elliott's death" - what?!  The officer even told my Aunt that evening that the other boys were dead before she hit the wreck in the middle of the road. 

Chauncy is suing for injuries she suffered in the accident and Munoz’s mother filed a wrongful death suit.

She's not suing for compensation - just reimbursement for medical expenses.  My Aunt isn't the suing type, she's actually being screwed already by this because the Elliott's auto insurance coverage wasn't enough and her insurance has to pick up the slack so that's why there isn't money left for her medical - which his insurance should be paying anyway because he caused the accident by driving like a squirrel pretending to be a race car driver.

Chauncy has incurred $25,000 in medical bills, Lemucchi said, but the damages asked for in the case are unspecified. Lemucchi said Chauncy braked but was unable to stop at the Oswell Street offramp and hit the overturned car.

Well at least her attorney is on the right page.

Miller said he’s not specifying damages for the case at this point.

The Elliotts’ lawsuit should be served to the defendants no later than next week, Miller said. The defendants will then have 30 days to respond.

Well, isn't that nice?  The Bakersfield Californian and other media sources can't even wait to post this story before my Aunt is notified.  She buried her MOTHER on Monday!!!  Then today a family friend sees the article and local TV news about this and she's the one to tell her.  My Aunt didn't even know they were suing her!

I'm sorry, but I think this is just ridiculous.  People are way too sue happy - this kid's parents need to take responsibility for their own actions - namely letting their son, who already had a history of drinking and driving, get behind the wheel.  All my Aunt wanted was some help paying her medical bills.  What a case of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.