MORGANTOWN — A father is suing a drug dealer that caused the death of his daughter when he gave her heroin laced with fentanyl.
Rick Sovastion filed the lawsuit against Gary Alan Richmond, Independence Hill MHC, Lakeshore Management, Granite Independence Hill, Granite Communities and five unknown and unnamed individuals.
Hannah M. Sovastion went to a parking lot in front of Independence Hill's management office on Oct. 20, 2016, to meet Richmond to purchase heroin from him.
When Hannah Sovastion arrived, she notified Richmond she was there and then walked to his home to purchase the heroin, which had the words "Star Struck" on it, according to the suit.
Rick Sovastion claims Hanna Sovastion then walked back to her car and immediately injected the heroin, which rendered her unconscious. She was discovered later that day and multiple attempts were made to revive her, but she died.
Unknown to Hanna Sovastion was that the heroin was laced with fentanyl, which is much more lethal than heroin or morphine, according to the suit.
Rick Sovastion claims later that day the West Virginia State Police executed a search warrant for Richmond's residence and found two bricks of heroin that bore the words "Star Struck" in blue ink, as well as cash, drug paraphernalia, a rifle, a TV and toolsets that were used as payment for the heroin.
Richmond was arrested and charged with the first-degree murder of Hannah Sovastion. He later pleaded guilty to delivery of a controlled substance causing death and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to the suit.
Rick Sovastion claims Hannah Sovastion's death was ruled an accident by the chief medical examiner.
Richmond was negligent in causing Hannah Sovastion's death, according to the suit. The other defendants were also negligent because Richmond did not attempt to hide his illegal activities and the defendants knew or should have known of the activities because of surveillance cameras, the complaint states.
Rick Sovastion is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is represented by Jeffrey V. Mehalic of the Law Offices of Jeffrey V. Mehalic.
Monongalia Circuit Court Case number: 18-C-423
