ST. LOUIS — A father is suing ABF Freight Systems and a company driver, citing alleged negligence as the cause of his son's death.
James Tompkins, the father of Javonte Tompkins, filed a complaint on Nov. 1 in the St. Louis Circuit Court against the defendants, alleging that ABF Freight Systems failed to implement and/or enforce proper safety procedures in operating a motor vehicle.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Aug. 21, Javonte Tompkins was driving his vehicle at the intersection of Hall Street and Adelaide Avenue in St. Louis when he was struck by a vehicle driven by defendant Craig Havens of Indiana and owned by ABF Freight Systems. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, according to the complaint.
The plaintiff holds Havens and ABF Freight Systems responsible because Havens allegedly failed to maintain careful lookout and failed to yield or stop to avoid colliding with Javonte Tompkins' vehicle.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks damages in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limits of the court, costs of this action and any further relief the court deems proper. He is represented by Lorenzo Hester and Melissa K. Griffeth of Attorney Lorenzo Hester in St. Louis.
St. Louis Circuit Court Case number 1722-CC11652