Daughters File Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Dump Truck Company for Wheelchair-Bound Father’s Death

Last year, a wheelchair-bound man died after being struck by a dump truck at a crosswalk in Five Points. Now, his daughters have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver and the trucking company.

George Jackson, 67, was in a motorized wheelchair and reportedly had the right of way to cross Harden Street, when a dump truck driven by William Crutchfield stopped at a red light, then “Crutchfield … drove the dump truck forward through the pedestrian area of the intersection and struck Mr. Jackson and his wheelchair,” the lawsuit alleges.

Jackson “fell from his wheelchair and onto the paved street,” the lawsuit alleges. “Crutchfield then proceeded to drag Mr. Jackson around the corner and west on Greene Street for several feet, causing substantial and fatal injuries to Mr. Jackson.”

Both Crutchfield and the company that employed him, P&S Construction Company, have been named as defendants in the wrongful death lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas.

In answer to the lawsuit, attorneys for the defendants have raised several points. Defense claims that Jackson’s death was his own fault, citing “gross negligence … carelessness and recklessness.” They add that Jackson’s death was an unavoidable accident due to Jackson’s carelessness.

The current lawsuit is a personal injury lawsuit. A criminal charge against Crutchfield and the company has already been dismissed. In 2012, investigators for the Columbia police department filed a charge of reckless homicide against Crutchfield, which was dismissed by Columbia Magistrate Judge Steedly Bogan.

A warrant in that case said Crutchfield “failed to stop prior to the stop bar for a red traffic signal at the intersection of Greene Street and Harden Street. The defendant also failed to yield to the pedestrian (Mr. Jackson), who had the right of way in the crosswalk.”

“The actions of the defendant showed a wanton disregard for the safety of others,” the warrant said. However, Bogan dismissed the case due to “insufficient probable cause.”

No trial date has been set for the wrongful death lawsuit.

Wrongful Death Cases in South Carolina

The unexpected loss of a loved is a very painful experience.  While mourning their loss, surviving family members are often with mounting medical bills, the loss of an income, and sudden expenses such as hospital bills and funeral costs.  The wrongful death lawyers at Strom Law Firm, LLC, will help you during this extremely difficult and emotional time.

Even before you begin to deal with the grieving process, an insurance adjuster may contact you and offer a quick settlement for much less than your claim is worth.  Our lawyers provide aggressive representation to protect your rights and fight to obtain fair compensation.   While you focus on getting through this tough experience, we will focus on protecting your rights.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Wrongful Death Cases

Although many of the people we represent in these cases are from right here in South Carolina, our lawyers routinely take clients from throughout the Southeastern U.S. and, in certain types of product liability or pharmaceutical cases, from across the country as well. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed through no fault of your own, you may have a wrongful death case. Contact the South Carolina wrongful death attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free, no-cost consultation today. 803.252.4800