ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis used car dealership and General Motors have sent to federal court wrongful death civil charges from two plaintiffs who say they are responsible for a carjacking and subsequent accident that killed two.
The 2019 suit says Joe-K Used Cars, LLC, sold a 2003 Mercury Mountaineer to third defendant Michael Hunter, a Missouri resident with no valid driver's license due to multiple driving while intoxicated and possession of illegal drug infractions. The defendants removed the case to St. Louis federal court in February.
On Dec.17, 2018, Hunter left the vehicle with keys in it outside of his residence overnight; the vehicle was subsequently stolen by an unknown third party, the suit says. Around 2 a.m. on Dec. 18, the thief ran a red light with the Mountaineer and struck a 2008 Chevrolet Camaro, killing the driver and passenger, Nikita Thompson and Chananya Siripaph, the suit says.
The plaintiffs, Nancy Thompson and Weibin Lam, who are the mother and widower of the deceased, filed one count each of negligence, aggravated damages and negligent entrustment against Joe-K for selling the vehicle to an individual not licensed to operate a car.
One count of negligence was filed against Hunter for leaving the vehicle unlocked with keys inside.
One count of strict liability, one count of negligent failure to warn, one count of breach of implied warranty, one count of negligence and one count of strict liability: failure to warn was filed against GM for manufacturing and selling a vehicle with structure, fuel systems and other components that were unreasonably dangerous.
Damages are sought in excess of $25,000 for each count.
The plaintiffs are represented by O'Leary, Shelton, Corrigan, Peterson, Dalton and Quillin, LLC of St. Louis.