Ohio woman says two individuals responsible for husband's death

HUNTINGTON -- A Lawrence County, Ohio, woman is suing two individuals she claims are responsible for her husband's wrongful death due to a car accident on Interstate 64.

On April 7, 2010, while operating a motor vehicle eastbound on Interstate 64 hear Milton, Christopher Grizzell negligently drove a motor vehicle owned by Sherry Grizzell into a motor vehicle being driven by Christopher Rodgers, according to a complaint filed March 19 in Cabell Circuit Court.

Penny Rodgers, the personal representative of Christopher Rodgers' estate, claims Christopher Grizzell negligently caused his vehicle to collide with Christopher Rodgers' vehicle, thereby causing both vehicles to travel through the median and into the path of of oncoming traffic, which ultimately caused Christopher Rodgers' death.

Christopher Grizzell negligently and recklessly failed to maintain control of his vehicle; failed to keep a proper lookout; was driving at an excessive rate of speed; and failed to maintain the vehicle in a proper and sufficient state of repair, service and inspection, according to the suit.

Penny Rodgers claims Sherry Grizzell also negligently failed to maintain the vehicle in an adequate state of repair, service and inspection and negligently allowed the vehicle to be used in a state of disrepair, which rendered it unsafe for operation.

When the vehicles crossed the median, they came into contact with a semi-truck being driven by Wayne Richard Lawrence Jr., who, along with his two passengers, Ginger Elaine Lawrence and Kelsie Emily Lawrence, also died as a result of the accident.

Penny Rodgers is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Christopher Keaton.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge F. Jane Hustead.

There have been two previous lawsuits involving the plaintiffs and defendants within the last year. The first being in October 2011, when Wanda Frances Lawrence, personal representative of the Estates of Wayne Richard Lawrence Jr., Ginger Elaine Lawrence and Kelsie Emily Lawrence sued Christopher Grizzell, Daimler Trucks North America and LTD Logistics for the accident. On March 6, Wanda Lawrence filed another suit against Penny Rodgers for the deaths of of Wayne Lawrence, Ginger Lawrence and Kelsie Lawrence.

Cabell Circuit Court case number: 12-C-183