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A third lawsuit has been filed in connection with a June 12 traffic accident in which three young people were killed.
Terry Bartley and Tracy Trout are seeking an unspecified amount of money from Brandon Robinson, alleging that his negligence resulted in the death of their son, Tyler Bartley, and injuries to their daughter, Tiffany Bartley.
Their lawsuit was filed Monday in Kosciusko Circuit Court by attorney Tom Blackburn of Blackburn & Green, Fort Wayne.
The wrongful death case stems from an accident in which Robinson is accused of running a stop sign at Ind. 25 and Winona Avenue and striking a car driven by Aaron Hatfield, 17, of Claypool. Hatfield; Heather Florey, 16, of Mentone; and Tyler Bartley, 12, of Claypool, all died as the result of injuries suffered in the accident. Tiffany Bartley, 13, of Claypool, and Hatfield and Florey's 6-month-old daughter, Monica Hatfield, suffered serious injuries.
Criminal charges are pending against Robinson, 18, of Warsaw, who is accused of three counts each of driving while intoxicated causing death and reckless homicide, and two counts of driving while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury.
Terry Bartley and Trout are seeking relief in five counts, including costs associated with Tyler's death and burial, expenses incurred with Tiffany's medical care and punitive damages "to properly punish (Robinson) for his reckless and wanton conduct and deter similar conduct. ..." The lawsuit also states that Robinson's conduct was "gross negligence, recklessness and in heedless and wanton disregard of the consequences and rights of the plaintiffs." A trial by jury is requested in this case.
Both Aaron Hatfield's and Florey's fathers filed similar lawsuits earlier this month.
