(Jackson County, Mich.) — The family of 20-year-old Alexander Ferrell, who died from injuries in a Napoleon Township drunk-driving crash last spring, has filed a $50 million federal lawsuit against the truck driver and his employers.
The crash happened April 24 on Austin Road when a box truck reportedly struck Ferrell’s motorcycle head-on before trying to flee. Witnesses followed the driver, helping police make an arrest. Ferrell suffered severe injuries and died nearly two months later, on June 17.
The lawsuit accuses the driver, Robert Macias, of gross negligence and names his employers — Mutual Trading Company and Yamasho Incorporated — as responsible for allowing unsafe conditions.
Macias later tested at more than twice the legal alcohol limit and is awaiting sentencing Thursday, October 16th, in Jackson County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to charges including operating while intoxicated causing death and failure to stop at the scene of an accident.