BECKLEY – The administrator of the estates of two Ohio residents and another Ohio man are seeking damages from an allegedly intoxicated driver involved in a fatal wrong-way collision on Interstate 77 in Raleigh County.
Felicia Crowell, estate administrator of estates of Carlisa Crowell and of Tahja Freeman, and Thomas Crowell, individually filed a complaint in Raleigh Circuit Court against Cory A. Sheward, One Stop No. 250, Exxon Mobil Corp., and John and Jane Doe(s) alleging negligence and dram shop liability.
According to the complaint, on March 28, 2016, Carlisa Crowell and Freeman, a minor, together with Thomas Crowell Jr., a minor, and Thomas Crowell were in an SUV traveling northbound on Interstate 77 in Raleigh County. The suit states defendant Sheward, who was intoxicated, was traveling south in the northbound lanes and crashed into the plaintiffs' vehicle head-on. The suit states Carlisa Crowell and Freeman suffered fatal injuries and plaintiff Thomas Crowell suffered severe and disabling injuries.
The plaintiffs allege that Sheward consumed numerous alcoholic beverages before the crash that he purchased from Exxon Mobil Corp. and One Stop No. 520.
The plaintiffs hold the defendants responsible because defendants One Stop and Exxon Mobile negligently sold alcoholic beverages to defendant Sheward, who negligently operated a vehicle while intoxicated.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest, costs, attorney's fees and any further relief as the court may deem meet and proper. They are represented by Dean G. Makricostas of Dittmar, Taylor & Makricostas PLLC in Weirton and Nomiki P. Tsarnas of Kisling, Nestico & Redick in Youngstown, Ohio. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Andrew Dimlich.
Raleigh Circuit Court case number 17-C-775