The 11-year-old dancer's parents have filed a civil complaint against the float driver who struck her and other parties involved in the fatal event from November's Raleigh Christmas Parade.
The girl's parents claimed in their 56-page complaint that if simple, reasonable, and widely accepted safety procedures had been adopted and followed, their daughter's death may have been avoided.
The statement continued, "This action is brought to ensure that those accountable for the girl's death are held accountable and to ensure that no other child or person is hurt or killed by the negligence of those charged with and in charge of ensuring the safety of the kids and attendees at this Raleigh tradition."
According to the early findings of the Raleigh Police Department's investigation, the driver of a car in the procession lost control around 10:14 am on November 19 near the junction of Hillsborough Street and Boylan Avenue. The car then continued at a slow pace and ran over an 11-year-old girl. After first responders sprang into action to assist her on the scene, she was taken away in an ambulance. Later, she succumbed to her wounds.
The driver had received more than 20 traffic citations since 2021, including five for failing to get his vehicles inspected, according to the girl's parents, who highlight this in the lawsuit. Additionally, he is alleged to have driven in the parade while carrying 16 or more passengers without a commercial driver's licence.
The complaint asserts that the driver got fewer than five hours of sleep the night before the parade and had arrived in Raleigh somewhere after one in the morning. He had been seen in the procession with an illegal weapon, according to the lawsuit. It claimed that the driver failed to engage an ASE-certified mechanic to drain the power steering fluid out of the truck's braking system and instead accidentally placed the power steering fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
The defense lawyer mentioned that he attempted to clean the fluid personally and claimed they think there were still pollutants in the brake system on the day of the Christmas parade. In addition, the lawsuit claims that the vehicle was lifted by around seven inches, which caused the emergency brake line to be severed.
The defense lawyer mentioned that he attempted to clean the fluid personally and claimed they think there were still pollutants in the brake system on the day of the Christmas parade. In addition, the lawsuit claims that the vehicle was lifted by around seven inches, which caused the emergency brake line to be severed.
According to the lawsuit, the emergency brake line was visibly unattached and dangling beneath the truck's driver's side door. When the defendant was questioned following the procession, he acknowledged that he was aware that the emergency brake was not working before and throughout the march. It was unlawful for the defendant to drive the truck through the parade without a brake device capable of slowing or stopping the relevant vehicle or vehicles.
The plaintiffs' lawyers are asking for at least $25,000 for each claim. They have submitted a total of 10.
