CLEARWATER — A driver is suing both the vehicle owner and the driver who allegedly struck her vehicle, alleging negligence and serious injuries.
Deborah Fee filed a complaint on July 16, in the 6th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Pinellas County, against Ashley Nicole Bateman and Christine Anne Hoyt, alleging that the defendants negligently entrusted and operated a vehicle, resulting in a collision with her vehicle.
She is seeking more than $15,000 in damages, claiming that she was disabled in the crash, suffering permanent loss of some bodily functions. Injuries extended to her head, jaw, neck, back, body and limbs, according to the lawsuit.
According to the complaint, on June 8, 2017, Fee was driving her 2015 Kia Soul near the intersection of N. Jasmine Avenue, in Tarpon Springs, when she claims Bateman was driving a car that struck her vehicle. Hoyt owns the 2012 Hyundai Elantra that Batemen was operating at the time of the crash.
Fee claims she was injured, lost her capacity to enjoy life and incurred medical expenses.
The plaintiff is holding both Bateman and Hoyt responsible, because the defendants allegedly were "negligent and carelessly entrusted, operated, maintained, or controlled the vehicle so as to cause it to collide" with Fee's vehicle, according to court documents.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for more than $15,000, plus costs, interest and all liquidated damages. She is represented by George Alan Tripp, Jr. and Ian Matthew Thomas of Tripp Law Firm, in Seminole.
6th Judicial Circuit of Florida - Pinellas County Case number 18C4653