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Family Files Wrongful Death Suit Against SC Department of Public Safety

Posted on Dec 07, 2011

The family of a Taylors man has filed a wrongful death suit against the S.C. Department of Public Safety for the crash that took the man's life. On March 4, 2011 Everett Hancock was traveling east on Wade Hampton Boulevard. He tried to make a left turn onto Rutherford Road and his SUV was hit broadside by a State Transport Police cruiser going 29 mph over the speed limit with no lights or sirens on. Officer Gerald Sims, Jr was charged and pleaded guilty to driving too fast for conditions. He paid a fine and was reprimanded by the DPS.

Hancock was killed in the accident and his niece and nephew have filed a wrongful death suit against the agency claiming they were negligent in hiring Sims because he had previously been involed in 2 crashes while working as a law enforcement officer.

According the DPS, they do review a driving record before hiring someone but did not state which traffic charges would disqualify a candidate. The DPS has filed an answer to the suit denying all claims of negligence and stated that Hancock caused the accident by turning against oncoming traffic.

The family will continue to pursue justice and answers for the loss of their loved one.

If you are in need of a Myrtle Beach SC wrongful death attorney, Conway lawyer Dirk Derrick at the The Derrick Law Firm has been handling wrongful death cases in Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, and Conway SC for over 23 years. Please call 843-248-7486 today.

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