Insurance Company Sues Driver Convicted of Manslaughter in High-Speed Crash

A tragic accident that claimed the life of a 16-year-old girl has led to a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar lawsuit against the driver involved. The Coontz family, parents Brian and Cathleen, on behalf of their late daughter Kailee, have filed a lawsuit against Stephen Jason Whitaker, who was convicted of manslaughter in connection with the 2019 crash. The accident occurred when Whitaker's motor home veered across the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, went airborne, and crashed into the Coontz family's car, killing Kailee and another passenger.

Key Takeaways:

• The lawsuit, filed by State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., seeks $338,000 in damages for medical costs, funeral expenses, lost wages, and the value of the vehicle.
• The Coontz family has already received payment from their insurance company under their uninsured motorist policy provisions.
• The accident occurred on Interstate 5 near Creswell, when Stephen Jason Whitaker's motor home veered across northbound lanes, went airborne, and crashed into the Coontz family's car.
• Witnesses reported that the motor home went airborne before smashing into the side of the Coontz car.
• Kailee, 16, was killed in the accident, sitting strapped in a child safety seat in the backseat of the car.
• The crash also killed John Ray Ratliff, a man riding with Whitaker.
• Stephen Jason Whitaker is serving a 17-year prison term for his conviction of manslaughter.

Statistics:

• $332,433: The amount of damages related to medical costs, funeral expenses, and lost wages suffered by the Coontz family.
• $5,329: The value of the Coontz family's vehicle that was damaged or destroyed in the accident.
• 42: The age of motor home driver Stephen Jason Whitaker at the time of the accident.
• 17: The prison term served by Stephen Jason Whitaker for his conviction of manslaughter.
• 1: The number of years since the accident occurred.

Sources:

• "Insurance company files $338,000 lawsuit against driver convicted of manslaughter in 2019 crash" by Karen McCowan, The Register-Guard.