Sep 12, 2012 | Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
The family of a 39-year-old man with schizophrenia who died after a struggle with Greenville police has sued the city, six police officers and Chief Terri Wilfong, alleging wrongful death “for use of excessive force by deploying multiple Tasers over an extended time and improper physical restraint technique,” according to federal court records.
The suit filed in U.S. District Court alleges wrongful death against officers who were called to the Augusta Street home of Andrew Torres in August 2012 to carry out a probate judge’s order sought by his family to take Torres to the hospital. It also alleges that Torres’ constitutional rights were violated and that Wilfong “failed to promulgate adequate policies and failed to supervise her subordinates who use unconstitutional levels of force in taking mentally ill citizens into protective custody.”
Defendants deny the allegations. According to police, Torres refused to cooperate and scuffled with officers at the time of the incident.
The Greenville County Coroner report indicates that Torres died of cardiac arrhythmia as a result of the use of Tasers, the physical strain of tussling with police, and having an enlarged heart.
The case has been ordered into mediation to be completed by February 4 of next year. The suit seeks both compensatory and punitive damages.
South Carolina Wrongful Death Attorneys
If the unthinkable happens in your life, call the experienced wrongful death attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives.
Sep 12, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
On September 4th around 5:30 p.m., Jeffrey Scott Bailey, a 20-year-old Lawndale resident, was transported by ambulance to Carolinas Medical Center following a two-car crash on N.C. 18.
According to Trooper Brian Theis of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, a Ford F-150 rear-ended the Pontiac Firebird in which Bailey was riding. The possible danger arose where Bailey was sitting in the back seat of the small Firebird when it was struck from behind by the F-150.
Theis reported that he was not aware of any life threatening injuries resulting from the crash. Several others involved in the crash were transported to Cleveland Regional Medical Center for treatment.Members of the Fallston Fire Department said that Bailey was pinned inside the car after the crash. Three Firetrucks responded to the crash along with Cleveland County EMS and the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office.
As it stands, there is no report of alcohol being involved in the crash. Theis says that there will only be a failure to reduce speed charge.
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If the unthinkable happens in your life, call the experienced car accident attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives. Hire the best car accident attorneys in whom you have the most confidence in here at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP.
Sep 11, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A single car accident took place this past Sunday, claiming the life of a Third Infantry Division Soldier.
Spc. Nolan W. Mincey, 22, of St. George, S.C., was assigned to the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, as a combat engineer. He had been a member of the Army since October 2008, and arrived at Fort Stewart in 2011 where he stayed until this fatality. He was lucky enough to only have one deployment, and was subsequently awarded the Combat Action Badge.
The collision occurred on Friendship Road near St. George, where Mincey’s car somehow lost control and drove off the road, only to strike a tree around 6:10 p.m. The details of the Soldier’s cause of death, and what if any where the contributing factors is still a mystery.
Thus, the accident is under investigation.
South Carolina Car Accident Attorneys
If the unthinkable happens in your life, please call the experienced car accident attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives. Hire the best Car Accident Attorneys that you have the most confidence in!
Sep 11, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A serious accident on US Route 17 in Horry County, SC caused serious traffic in the Little River area, as the accident was blocking traffic northbound on the Intracoastal Waterway Bridge.
According to the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the collision occurred on or about 4:15 p.m. on Highway 17 Northbound, where US-17 crosses over Highway 90, on near interstate grade road. At this time, there has been no release as to the amount of people involved in the collision, the number of cars, or the amounts and severity of any injuries that may have occurred.
The North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety did however issue a NIXLE warning to all other motorists and pedestrians alike stating that the roadway was currently blocked in the northbound lanes, as the crews frantically worked together to clear the scene of the “serious accident.”
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The South Carolina Car Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP provide aggressive representation of those individuals involved in any type of car accident, whether commercial or not. Our lawyers are available to speak with you directly. Compare our attorneys’ credentials to any other law firm. Then call us for a private, confidential consultation at 877-374-5999.
Sep 11, 2012 | Child Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
On September 10, 2012 just one day prior to the anniversary of 9-1-1, a gathering and visitation was held in remembrance of a Marine who passed away this past Friday while serving his country. Private First Class Jonathon Crawford, age 19 was an avid Marine who had just graduated boot camp on Parris Island the morning of his horrific accident.The gathering and visitation took place at Amelia High School, where the flag was lowered to half-staff during the memorial service.
The details of the accidental death are still hazy, but it appears as though PFC Crawford was reported to of last been seen swimming about 40 yards from the beach, just south of the lighthouse. After losing sight of PFC, a family member made the dreaded 911 phone call. Apparently, the family decided to stay at the beach for the weekend after graduation, where PFC Crawford got caught up in a rip current and it swept him off his feet. According to Col. Neil Baxley at the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, “they were struggling to get on their feet and the young man was unable to regain his balance before the rip current pulled him out and pulled him under.” His body was found around 5:25 p.m.
His friends say that it was PFC Crawford’s dream to become a United States Marine. It is disheartening and earth shattering to lose someone. This young man was exceptional; he volunteered to serve his country only to lose his life the day he graduated from boot camp.
This drowning is currently still being investigated.
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If the unthinkable happens in yours or someone you love’s life, call the experienced accidental and wrongful death accident attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives. Hire the bestwrongful and accidental death attorneys in whom you have the most confidence in!
Sep 10, 2012 | Child Accidents, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A mother and resident of Columbia S.C., has just been sentenced to 10 years in prison due to unlawful conduct toward her currently missing toddler/child. Judge Knox made his decision this past Friday for Zinah Jennings, after much contemplation and scrutinization of photos of the missing toddler, Amir Jennings and his left behind belongings. Knox’ punishment was to sentence the mother to 10 years in prison for “unlawful conduct towards a child.”
It took the jury only about 2.5 hours to reach their decision and find the mother negligent and guilty of the crime at large. It is stated that Zinah appeared to be emotionless as the jury handed in their verdict. Ironically, Zinah actually gave birth to her second child on the 6th day of the jury trial, and the fact-finders still found her guilty. Her attorney has taken the stance that no decision for an appeal will be made until he and his client discuss the options for the new child, the mother, and the alike.
Amir and Zinah Jennings were reported missing in early December by Zinah’s mother, Jocelyn Jennings, after Zinah had been involved in a single vehicle car accident in Columbia; however Amir was not stated to be with his mother at the time of the incident. Since then, Zinah has refused to tell the police where her son is, and is only reported to of said, “he is in a safe place.”
This statement has left everyone confused, as the police conducted a massive search from Atlanta, GA to Charlotte, NC in efforts to locate the missing toddler. Such investigation included reviews of cell phone records, an actual manhunt in Northern Richland, and calling on 41 witnesses discussing how Zinah treated Amir. Insomuch, it was reported by the witnesses that Zinah had been spotted kicking her son, squeezing him until he cried, and letting him wander in and out of a bank unsupervised, at less than 2 years of age.
The defense tried to rebut these statements with contrary witnesses whom states they had seen Amir “clean and happy on numerous occasions.” In fact, on Consignment store owner stated that she saw Zinah and Amir shopping in his store the week before Christmas. However, this statement was contrary to the police reports that state that the child was last seen on November 29. The defense also attempted to claim that Zinah was both pregnant and mentally ill during trial and before. However Knox did not buy this defense, as seen by the judgment.
As for the father of Amir, he is asking that Zinah Jennings be given the “maximum punishment.”
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If the unthinkable happens in yours or your child’s life, call the experienced accident attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. With offices in Columbia and throughout South Carolina, our child injury attorneys maintain a statewide practice. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We’re here to help.