Hunter
10/13/23
The lawsuit filed by the family of a Waterloo woman who was killed in a traffic accident earlier this year has been dismissed due to a procedural error.
The Press-Citizen reports the estate of 22-year-old Jennifer Russell of Waterloo filed a civil suit in June alleging that 17-year-old Elijah Seals and another teen driver, Kesean Ford, were “drag racing” when they collided with the vehicle the late Russell was driving.
The procedural error occurred when Seals was given notice of suit while he was still a minor; Iowa law requires persons under 18 to have notices given to their guardian or conservator.
An official accident report from the Iowa State Patrol indicates the 17-year-old Ford drove a 2008 Saturn Vue through the stop sign at Court Street and 7th Avenue at the same time Seals drove a 2012 GMC Acadia through the same intersection while both were driving westbound on Court. The two reportedly hit a 2017 Chevy Malibu being driven by Russell before 11pm May 27th. Court Street at that location only has one lane in each direction.
Russell died at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Ford, Seals and 17-year-old Michel Mbokolo were also treated at the UIHC for their injuries.
The dismissal doesn’t mean that the case is closed; attorneys can refile the suit.