CHARLESTON — A couple is suing the Kanawha County sheriff for the death of their family member.
Martha Stubblefield and Kevin Stubblefield claim on Jan. 19, 2022, Sheriff Ronald Glenn Daniels was traveling on Witcher Creek Road to Raven Drive when he lost control and crashed into Lydia Gore's residence, according to a complaint filed in Kanawha Circuit Court.
The Stubblefields claim Daniels was operating a 2005 red Grand Jeep Cherokee at 1:01 p.m. at an Exxon fuel station when Kanawha County Medic Chase Car AS591 called for an ambulance to transport Daniels from Exxon for apparent symptoms of a stroke.
"Upon information and belief, Captain Jason Sergeant conducted and administered a medical examination on Defendant Daniels," the complaint states. "Captain Jason Sergeant then called off the Kanawha County Ambulance prior to its arrival and permitted Defendant Daniels to operate his 2005 red Grand Jeep Cherokee and leave the Exxon fuel station."
At 1:55 p.m., Daniels lost control of his vehicle, according to the suit.
The Stubblefields claim when Daniels struck the residence, he went through the exterior wall and into the living room of Gore's home, seriously injuring her and Kevin Stubblefield.
"As a result of the negligent and careless actions of Defendant Daniels, Plaintiff Kevin Stubblefield suffered serious and permanent bodily injuries," the complaint states. "The actions of Defendant Daniels driving in an unsafe and defective physical condition on the public highways of the State of West Virginia were unreasonable, negligent, willful, wanton, unlawful and criminally indifferent to the safety and wellbeing of others, including Plaintiffs' Decedent Lydia Gore, Martha Stubblefield and Kevin Stubblefield who were in and at the residence."
With Gore's death, Kevin Stubblefield suffered the death of his mother and suffered mental anguish, loss of society, companionship, comfort, guidance, kindly offices and advice of the decedent.
The Stubblefields are seeking compensatory damages with pre-judgment interest. They are represented by H. Truman Chafin, Letitia Neese Chafin and Stacey Kohari of The Chafin Law Firm in Williamson.
The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Carrie Webster.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 23-C-435
