Seattle, WA - Christopher M. Davis of Davis Law Group, P.S., the attorney representing the family of Sandra K. Johnson, age 41, who died in a car accident on May 25, 2007, announces today that he has filed a wrongful death action against WA Botting Company of Woodinville. The suit was filed in King County Superior Court (case# 07-2-26904-5KNT) on behalf of Ms. Johnson's estate and her four children. Ms. Johnson's mother, Beverly Hein, 65, also joined the lawsuit.
Johnson was killed while stopped in her car waiting for traffic to clear on Auburn Way South. A W.A. Botting employee, John M. Starr, was driving a company vehicle on Auburn Way South. Starr drove his vehicle off the roadway and crashed into Johnson's vehicle at a high rate of speed. The lawsuit alleges that Ms. Johnson was stopped in her car and had no opportunity to avoid the collision. Johnson, a mother of four, died at the scene.
The Auburn Police Department investigated the accident. Starr reportedly told police that he had previously pulled a double-shift for Botting and then fell asleep at the wheel while driving home. The investigation has been turned over to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review of possible criminal charges.
Johnson worked as a caregiver for Catholic Community Services in Tacoma. She is survived by her children, Dustin (age 5), Zachary (age 6), Shyla (age 14) and Crystal Peterson (age 20).
"The whole family has been devastated by the loss. The children are distraught as you can imagine. They miss their mother terribly," said Mr. Davis. "What is also upsetting is that the children may have to be split up to live with different caretakers," says Davis.
The lawsuit claims unspecified damages for future lost income and services, as well as damages on behalf of the children for the loss of their mother. Any funds recovered on behalf of the children will be placed in trust and administered through a court-appointed guardian.