Charleston officer's widow sues city's insurance carrier

CHARLESTON -- The widow of the Charleston police officer who was killed during a 2009 high-speed chase is suing the city's insurance carrier.

Underwriters at Lloyd's, London, subscribers to Policy No. J096183 and Commercial Insurance Services, Inc., were named as defendants in the suit.

Following the death of Charleston Police Officer Jerry Jones, Samantha Jones, his widow, filed a civil action against the estate of Brian Good for her husband's wrongful death, according to a complaint filed March 29 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Samantha Jones claims State Farm Insurance Company held the liability insurance coverage on Good's vehicle.

After conducting an investigation into the events surrounding the death of Jerry Jones, State Farm paid its liability policy limits of $50,000 to Jerry Jones' estate, according to the suit.

Samantha Jones claims since her husband was operating a vehicle owned by Charleston and was acting as an employee of the city, he was insured and/or assured under the Lloyd's policy, but the defendant has denied the claims.

Jerry Jones was killed in September 2009 after he and other officers chased Good's truck from Charleston to an area near Pinch. Officers opened fire after Good hit one of the police vehicles, which killed Good, as well as Jerry Jones.

Samantha Jones is seeking for the court to declare the claims for underinsured motorist coverage and medical payment coverage sough are covered under the policy. She is being represented by J. Michael Ranson, Cynthia M. Ranson and George B. Morrone III.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Louis H. Bloom.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-512