The widow of a 28 year old man killed when the motorboat in which he was a passenger crashed into the Summerville Pier [Rochester, NY] on a late night ride has recently filed suit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The complaint alleges that the Corps failed to adequately light the pier at night.
The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court, and brought on her own behalf and for the couple's four children.
Two other persons died in the same crash.
The crash occurred on June 28, 2008. Since then, the boat's operator has pled guilty to second degree manslaughter and boating while intoxicated, was sentenced to prison for four to 12 years.
In addition, the widow has sued four waterfront bars in state court, for serving the boat operator, and the State of New York, for allegedly failing to maintain and light the pier.
As with many wrongful death suits, several potential defendants may be accused of contributing to the death of the decedent, and suit can be brought against them in several jurisdictions: federal court, state court, and the New York Court of Claims.
