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A representative of the estate of Matthew Moore has filed a lawsuit against a Warsaw man to compensate for damages.
Matthew E. Moore, 29, Rochester, was pronounced dead at 5:04 p.m. Feb. 17 at Parkview Hospital from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle accident.
Jeffery Reed, 29, of 2441 W. CR 250S, No.149, was arrested for leaving the scene of the fatal two-vehicle accident. Lab results from blood tests for Reed revealed his blood alcohol level was 0.25 percent when Reed was tested after the crash.
A complaint for damages filed Jan. 10 by Melissa Moore, personal representative of the estate of Matthew Moore, says "Jeffrey Reed was negligent in operation of his automobile and that negligence was the proximate cause of personal injury to and the death of Matthew Moore."
The complaint also said Reed "acted with gross negligence," and Melissa Moore wants to recover "punitive damage and all other relief which is appropriate under the circumstances" from Reed.
Reed pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated causing a death, and a second charge of leaving the scene of a fatal accident was dropped in Kosciusko Superior Court III. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison for a charge of driving while intoxicated causing a death.
Reed received a 20-year prison sentence, but six years of the term were suspended for probation. His driver's license was suspended for five years, and he was ordered to enroll in a certified alcohol treatment program.
According to the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department, Moore was driving north on Ind. 19 Feb. 17 when Reed ran a stop sign, causing a collision. Moore's sport utility vehicle rolled over several times and he was ejected from the vehicle.
Reed left the scene of the accident but later abandoned his vehicle and was found walking on CR 100N near CR 525W. He told officers his car had a flat tire and he pulled it off into a field. Reed had the keys and registration to the vehicle involved in the accident in his possession when officers found him.
A passenger in Moore's vehicle, Darrell Hopkins, 39, was treated at Kosciusko Community Hospital for minor injuries after the collision.
