The owners of a Kentucky trucking firm involved in a wreck in which six people were killed at the Ooltewah exit of I-75 on June 25 are asking that lawsuits in the matter be handled in Federal Court.
Cool Runnings Express owners Billy and Cretty Sizemore are asking that the initial suit brought by Ryan Humphries of Cleveland, Tn., be moved from Hamilton County Circuit Court.
The petition in Federal Court notes that at least 18 individuals from at least four different states were involved in the accident.
"It is anticipated that multiple lawsuits will be filed," the petition says.
Attorneys for the trucking firm are John J. Griffin Jr. and Michael A. Johnson of Nashville.
Mr. Humphries, who was injured in the wreck, is asking $5 million compensatory damages and $5 million punitive damages.
He is suing Benjam Scott Brewer, driver of a semi-truck that police said barreled into multiple vehicles stopped or slowed for a construction project.
Also sued were the owners of the Kentucky-based trucking firm that Brewer had just started driving for - the Sizemores. and their Cool Runnings Express Inc.
The complaint says Mr. Humphries was driving north toward his residence when he and other motorists encountered the TDOT paving project. It says he "along with multiple other motorists was required to bring his vehicle to a halt in order to safely pass through the area of construction."
It says Brewer "entered the area of the highway construction project at an excessive, illegal and unreasonably dangerous speed" and that he "failed to slow, stop or otherwise control his vehicle."
The suit says he "crashed violently into multiple vehicles including the vehicle operated by" Mr. Humphries.
It says the "grossly negligent and reckless conduct" of the truck driver "is, and should be, imputed to his employers."
The suit says the Sizemores "failed to exercise reasonable and ordinary care in its decision to hire" Brewer.
It was also charged that the trucking firm owners failed to maintain proper upkeep of the vehicle.
The suit says the plaintiff should be entitled to punitive damages due to the "recklessness and gross negligence" involved.
It says Mr. Humphries suffered "severe and disabling injuries, disfigurement of his body, and endured extreme pain, suffering and emotional anguish."