INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The woman who was sentenced to four years of house arrest after she hit a Greenfield Police officer with her car then fled the scene now faces a wrongful death suit.
The estate of Officer Will Phillips filled suit Wednesday against Sue Vanderbeck alleging negligence in his death .
The suit also names Giant Bicycle, Inc., who made the bike Williams was riding along with Bell Sports, Inc. who made the helmet he was wearing.
“He suffered multiple head fractures,” said Roy Tabor, attorney for the Phillips family. “The helmet was not strong enough to withstand a blow that caused Will’s death.”
The suit says the collision between Vanderbeck’s car and Williams caused him to sustain “massive injuries resulting in his death.” It accuses Vanderbeck of Negligence “including but not limited to: failing to keep a proper look out; failing to avoid a collision; failing to timely decelerate and break; failing to keep her vehicle under control; failing to use due car to avoid colliding with a person propelling a human powered vehicle… fleeing the scene of the collision and failing to render aid.”
The suit asks for damages “arising from the wrongful death of William E. Phillips, III,” court costs and “all other just and proper relief.” No specific monetary damages were named.
All four defendants are expected to receive copies of the suit in the coming days.
24-Hour News 8 reached out to Vanderbeck’s attorney, Steve Litz. He stated over the phone he’s not surprised by the lawsuit, and he also said his client intends to fight the suit. He said he planned to file a countersuit, which would name the Greenfield Police Department, which he said should be held liable for not training Phillips properly.
Tabor said the Phillips family has no plans to sue the police department.
“They did not drive the car, and they did not build the vehicle,” Tabor said.
Phillips was killed along U.S. 40 during a night time training mission
Greenfield officer’s family seeks damages in wrongful death suit – WISH
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