Lawsuit filed in fatal Hancock County boat accident
TheSun-Herald is reporting that the father of a ten year old girl who died last week as a result of a mishap while riding an inter-tube on the Jourdan River has filed suit against the driver of the boat:
An attorney for the father of a Waveland girl who was killed in a boating accident on the Jourdan River last week has filed a lawsuit, claiming that 10-year-old Madison Karno died because of negligence by the boat’s operator.
The Defendant is Dr. Rowe Crowder of Bay St. Louis. Tim Holleman of Gulfport filed the action. According to the article this is how the accident happened:
State officials said Crowder was at the wheel of the boat on July 3 when Madison Karno and an older companion were thrown off a flotation device being pulled behind the boat along the river.
The accident remains under investigation by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. A department spokesman said this week the tragedy occurred when the boat piloted by Crowder apparently crossed a sandbar, hit roots or stumps in the river, and the flotation device veered out of control. Karno died after she was flung from the float and struck an obstacle near the river.
The child's parents are divorced. Sometimes a family split in a death case leads to a "race to the courthouse" to file a lawsuit, which appears possible given the speed of the filing of the lawsuit. Of course, there are also other reasons to file suit quickly.
Growing up on the Coast my father would not let his kids ride a tube. He insisted that we use a water ski because you could control the direction of a ski, but not a tube. It's too bad that kids are grown before they can appreciate their parents' wisdom.
This was a terrible tragedy. I feel for everyone involved including the driver of the boat. I don't know the condition of the Jordan River but Katrina debris remains in some coastal waterways. I've seen the top of a Creosote pole sticking out of a navigable and well traveled stretch of the Biloxi River that was only marginally visible at low tide. At the time, I thought it was a miracle I hadn't heard of anyone hitting it. Of course that doesn't mean someone hasn't.
"...The child's parents are divorced. Sometimes a family split in a death case leads to a "race to the courthouse" to file a lawsuit, which appears possible given the speed of the filing of the lawsuit. Of course, there are also other reasons to file suit quickly."
SUGGESTED OTHER REASONS:
Sometimes, the custodial parent turns the children's minds against the other parent for absolutely no reason other than their own selfish agenda.
And MAYBE, the father filed a civil suit against the driver of the boat as quickly as he did because he was hitting a brick wall trying to get information on this tragic death of his child.
And MAYBE because the driver is being shielded from public scrutiny because he is a prominent local physician, well connected with politicians, newspaper editors, the "yacht club set", and a very closed-minded hospital administration who may or may not be protecting their own involvement since they are the ones who brought this doctor here and have supplied him with an office and have a vested interest in keeping him here while protecting him and themselves???
MAYBE all the father wants to know is HOW his child died and WHY? And since maybe he can't get the information any other way than through a civil suit, that's what he had to do!
I have yet to see a newspaper or internet article with the details of the final report from Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries, Sheriff's department, AMR, or any other department who responded to or are investigating the senseless death of a beautiful child.
I really don't think money is at the base of this lawsuit. The dad has plenty. He just wants to know how his baby died. Wouldn't you???
An article came out in the "Sun Herald" Sunday August 24, 2009 with the DWF (Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries) results. There was also a follow-up report on WLOX-TV the same night.
FISHY being the key word here! The driver of the boat agreed to a Blood Alcohol Test (BAT) but refused to sign the permit. A supervisor then had to be called in-on a late Friday evening at the beginning of a major holiday weekend. By the time a breathalyzer test was given, it was 3 to 3.5 hours later. (Results were 0.00 BUT the DWF report showed a check mark in the block stating the driver had "been drinking" on their report-as in, there was evidence of alcohol consumption by the boat driver.)
Where WAS the good doctor in the meantime? And why wasn't he held by the police until a supervisor could be found to make a decision? And are the local cops or Sheriff's deputies limited in their ability to go ahead and do a Breathalyzer, at least, on the scene or shortly afterward?
This whole thing STINKS of a cover up. I am very supportive of the father of this child and glad he is pursuing the truth about the death of his child.
He's not "out to get" anyone, he just wants to know the truth. Meanwhile, word is that the good doctor is filing bankruptcy...even though he owns 2 homes, a boat, 2 nice new vehicles, a medical practice.... If the law won't get him, then God sure as heck will!!!
Nettie and Bee bee please feel free to contact me if you would like any of the reports or information on this case.
Kerryc87@gmail.com