Lawsuit filed against family of Ocala teen in death of couple in vehicle crash
The mothers of two people killed in a two-vehicle crash earlier this year have filed a lawsuit against some members of the juvenile driver's family.
The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $50,000.
Spencer Holden, 30, and his wife, Samantha, 35, were killed in a Feb. 20 crash in the 1300 block of Southeast 36th Avenue. Ocala police say a speeding Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 SUV driven by an intoxicated 17-year-old boy hit them from behind and caused their vehicle to catch fire.
In the 18-page lawsuit, filed Tuesday in circuit court, plaintiffs' attorney Nathan P. Carter, of Your Insurance Attorney, PLLC in Maitland, said that on the date of the crash, the boy was a high school senior "living, residing and spending substantial time with each of the defendants (referring to the child's relatives) at various points in time."
"The frequency with which the intoxicated minor lived or resided with each of the defendants, or otherwise spent time with each of the defendants, was sufficient for them to have personal knowledge of his habits, customs and behavior," the lawsuit states.
Because of the teen's age, the Star Banner is not publishing his name or the names of his relatives.
The lawsuit says the teenager has "a pattern and well-known history of unlawful, underage use and abuse of alcohol, drinking alcohol to excess, intoxication, irresponsible 'partying,' reckless driving under the influence of alcohol, and similar misconduct."
"The intoxicated minor's conduct just described was at all times material to this action well known, or should have been known, to his associates, friends, and family members, including all defendants herein. However, no defendant ever took reasonable steps to prevent or mitigate the risks posed by the intoxicated minor's behavior," according to the lawsuit.
Prosecutors have charged the teen as an adult. He's charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and DUI. Lawyers Bill Ramputi of Ocala and Stuart Hyman of Orlando are representing the teen in his criminal case.
Related coverage: Prosecutors charge teen as an adult for crash that killed Ocala couple in February
Ramputi said he has not had a chance to review the lawsuit and therefore could not make a comment.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: The family of a couple killed in traffic crash has sued an Ocala teen's family
