Hunter
07/14/23
The parents of a 22-year-old Iowa City woman killed in a crash May 27th have filed a negligence lawsuit against the two teens they say were drag-racing when they crashed into her.
The Gazette reports Matthew and Kelly Russell, of Waterloo, parents of Jennifer Marie Russell, formerly of Waterloo, filed the lawsuit June 28 in Johnson County District Court against Kesean Ford and Elijah Seals, both 17 and from Johnson County, and American Family Insurance Company.
An official accident report released the day after the crash by the Iowa State Patrol indicates 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 just before 11:00 pm.
Court Street has only one lane in each direction at that intersection.
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.
Neither driver has been charged in the crash, although Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith told the Gazette this week that the incident is still under investigation.
The suit by Russell’s parents asserts Ford’s 2008 Saturn Vue wasn’t insured and Seals’ 2012 GMC Acadia was underinsured. They also claim the two teens were each negligent and at fault in the operation of their vehicles, and committed a number of traffic violations leading to the death of their daughter.
The suit asks for damages and benefits from the Russells’ car insurance policy with American Family, which covers uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.