Lawsuit settled in 2018 case after a city employee struck, killed a pedestrian
Charlie DrapeA 2018 wrongful death lawsuit filed against the City of Jackson could potentially come to a close if the Jackson City Council approves the final settlement during their Tuesday meeting.
Just over seven years after the incident occurred, the city is attempting to settle the suit for $160,000, according to council documents. Since the council controls the finances of the city, they must first approve the settlement.
The Clarion Ledger reported on the lawsuit in March as part of an investigation into at least 24 lawsuits the City of Jackson is facing due to city employees being involved in vehicular crashes with city-owned vehicles. The investigation was the second part in an occasional series looking at the lawsuits faced by the City of Jackson, which the Clarion Ledger received after submitting a public records request.
On May 9, 2017, Stevie Fuller, a resident of Jackson, was walking near the Gateway Rescue Mission Shelter on Gallatin Street. As Fuller was walking, he was "struck by a motor vehicle being owned by the City of Jackson, Mississippi and being operated" by a city employee, the lawsuit states.
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The lawsuit does not go into detail about Fuller's injuries, but states he received "severe and painful injuries," resulting in his death. A wrongful death lawsuit was filed by both Fuller's brother, Roger Fuller, and Fuller's sister, Linda Sue Fuller, in the Hinds County Circuit Court in 2018.
Joseph Roberts, of Pitman, Roberts and Welsh, a law firm in Jackson, is the Fullers' attorney. Roberts previously told the Clarion Ledger a trial was set for May 20, 2024, though he didn’t want to go into further details because the case is still ongoing.
The council will decide on the matter during their 6 p.m. Tuesday meeting, which is being held at New Hope Baptist Church on 1555 Beasley Road.