Dead Teen’s Parents Sue Driver
SANTA ANA — The parents of a teenager killed in a crash in Victorville last summer along with three other teens have sued the driver and his parents.
The parents of Jonothon Croweagle Fabbro Curtis of Garden Grove are seeking unspecified damages from the parents of James V. Patterson of Anaheim, who admitted to drinking 10 beers before the July 29 desert wreck, according to a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court. The suit, which was filed by Laura Stewart and Fred Curtis, names James, now 18, and his parents, David and Elizabeth Patterson.
Another wrongful death lawsuit was filed last year by Cynthia Bender, whose 18-year-old son, Steven Richard Bender, also died in the wreck.
James Patterson was at the wheel when his Chevy Suburban careened out of control on a dirt road and rolled over several times. His blood alcohol level was found to be 0.16%, twice the legal limit for adult drivers and 16 times the limit for drivers under 21.
Patterson has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and felony drunk driving.
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