Huntsville Times Article: Ambulance Suit Gets $3.1 Million
April 27, 2007 News Channel 19’s Barry Hiett reports:
October 13, 2005. That’s the night a Lincoln County, Tennessee ambulance driver slammed into a Dodge Neon on Highway 231 in Hazel Green.
18-year-old Dianna Bowden was driving the Neon. She died instantly.
Since Dianna’s death, life has been a struggle for her family. “Hell, because there’s nothing that can happen that’s ever gonna bring her back and nothing that can happen to this man is ever gonna change the face what he did to her,” says Pamela Knopps, Dianna’s mother.
Troopers say the ambulance driver, Charles Christopher Eakes, was going 81 miles an hour on a non-emergency call when he hit Bowden.
“He said he’s just going to keep doing the same thing he’s been doing and he feels like he’s not a reckless driver,” Knopps says.
Friday, a federal jury awarded Bowden’s family $3.1 million in their civil suit against the Lincoln Medical Center Ambulance Service.
Bowden’s parents say it’s small consolation.
“There’s nothing in this story that’s a win,” said Kurt Bowden, the girl’s father. “It’s basically just another step toward closure.”
NewsChannel 19 tried to contact Eakes’ attorneys, but our calls weren’t returned.
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