Family of woman killed in Highway 63 crash sues Jeep manufacturer, driver for wrongful death
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The family of a woman killed in a crash on Highway 63 claims the manufacturer of Jeep failed to install safety features that could have prevented the deadly collision.
The family of Ashley Apel filed the wrongful death lawsuit in Boone County court on Wednesday against FCA USA and Stellantis. The lawsuit claims the crash was caused by defective equipment in the Jeep that hit Apel’s vehicle.
The petition accuses FCA and Stellantis of strict liability and negligence in Apel’s death, as well as negligence by Garrett Hunt, of Higbee, the driver of the Jeep.
Apel was one one of the three people who died in the Jan. 23 crash that occurred near Breedlove Drive. The vehicle was stopped in traffic because of another crash when a Jeep rear-ended it, killing her. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report.
Summons were issued for the defendants on Wednesday. Apel was a teacher at the Moberly School District. Other teachers were also injured in the crash, the school district said earlier this year.
Hunt is also facing criminal charges for his role in the crash, including illegally using an electronic device in a crash that resulted in a death and two misdemeanors: Reckless driving and illegally using an electronic device in a crash where someone was seriously injured. A hearing is scheduled in that case for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14.