Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
A civil suit arising out of a double LODD apparatus accident in 2010 in Rocky Mount, Virginia, is one step closer to being resolved as two of the three parties have resolved their claims.
The accident occurred on July 26, 2010 when an engine driven by Fire Chief Posey W. Dillon, of the Rocky Mount Fire Department collided in an intersection with a vehicle driven by Teri Anne Valentine. The apparatus was responding on mutual aid to a reported structure fire in a neighboring community.
Chief Dillon and Firefighter William D. Altice died in the accident. Neither were wearing seatbelts and both were ejected. A Virginia State Police investigation concluded that Ms. Valentine had the green light at the time of the accident.
Last year FF Altice’s estate sued Ms. Valentine and Chief Dillion’s estate for $2 million alleging both were grossly negligent in driving their respective vehicles. Chief Dillon’s estate and Ms. Valentine filed cross-claims against each other, each alleging the other was responsible..
The settlement announced today involves the cross claims between Chief Dillon’s estate and Ms. Valentine. The terms of the settlement have not been released.
FF Altice’s suit remains on schedule to be tried in September, 2013.
