The widow of a Cleveland school music director, who was killed along with five others in a wreck at the Ooltewah exit of I-75 on June 25, has filed suit in Chattanooga Federal Court for $11 million.
Jaclyn Gallaher filed suit in the death of Brian Gallaher. The suit lists the couple's two children.
It was lodged by Cleveland attorney Jimmy Logan against Benjamin Scott Brewer, driver of the tractor-trailer that caused the wreck, and Charity Dawn Pennington, his passenger. Other defendants are the trucking firm, Cool Runnings Express, and owners Billy and Cretty Sizemore.
Brewer, who is from Kentucky, is in the Hamilton County Jail after being charged with six counts of vehicular homicide.
The suit called Mr. Gallaher "an everyday source of strength, love, affection, guidance, support and counsel for his wife and minor children."
It says Mr. Gallaher was in his Toyota Prius headed north toward Cleveland and was either slowed or stopped for a construction project when the truck plowed into a line of vehicles.
The suit says, "The tractor-trailer essentially mowed over and crushed the vehicles he struck. Mr. Gallaher was rendered helpless and incapable of escaping. He was caused to suffer great pain, anguish, fear and fright. He was pronounced dead after he was removed from the vehicle."