Lawsuit filed in I69 crash

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A civil suit has been filed on behalf of two surviving victims involved in the Sept. 24 crash on I-69 in Gibson County that claimed the lives of two Washington residents of Haitian descent.

Richard Hawley of  Evansville based Robert John and Associates, filed the suit in Gibson County Superior Court on Thursday.

According to a release from the attorney’s office, Charles Joseph and Abigail Cura were seriously injured in the crash.

The Washington Times Herald says that named in the suit are James D. Allen who was the driver of the van containing the 24 passengers and Robert D Allen senior who owned the van. Investigators and police reports say the converted van contained wooden benches for seats and worn tires.

The suit alleges the two were negligent due to unsafe speed and lane movement, overweight load, driving on defective tires, improper safety equipment and maintenance of the van. It is also alleges that the owner negligently entrusted the van to the driver.

The suit requests recovery of the damages suffered from the accident including compensation for permanent injuries as well as punitive damages.