The husband of Sevie Davison, 23, who was killed in a drunk driving accident February 25, 2021 at the roundabout at MO 43 and MO 96, filed a wrongful death lawsuit Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court against the driver and the owner of a trailer that was hooked to his car.
Listed as defendants in the lawsuit, which was filed by Tyler Davison, are Ryan O'Neal, 46, formerly of Liberal, and John Keeling, Joplin.
The petition alleges Keeling was negligent in loaning his trailer to a driver who had a reputation for carelessness.
Witness statements include in the probable cause statement detailed that carelessness.
Stephen A. Harrell, Ash Grove, had turned onto 43 from 96 and followed O'Neal, who was driving a white 2002 Chevrolet 2500 through the roundabout.
"He was driving like a maniac and he passed a Suburban in the roundabout. I saw his trailer pop up as he hit the curb in the roundabout."
Kathy Wrensch, Carl Junction, was driving that Suburban.
"I saw him crash into the other vehicle and a big puff of smoke."
Wrensch stopped the Suburban, ran to Sevie Davison and performed CPR.
Hannah Helton, Pittsburg, Kansas, had a clear view of the accident, according to the statement. "I was going north on 43 and was behind her (Davison) and he swerved over and hit the side of her (vehicle). Then his trailer almost hit me and I slammed on my brakes and pulled on the left shoulder."
David Sexton, Carthage, was not at the scene of the accident, but told investigators that O'Neal was driving just as recklessly a few moments earlier.
2 comments:
Someone needs to explain to me why the prosecuting attorney pled away the OWI.
This guy will be out in five years, and the odds are much greater than zero that he will commit yet another first offense OWI.
I believe they declined prosecution of the DWI in exchange for the guilty plea of involuntary manslaughter, a much higher charge.
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