A Georgia police officer was killed in a fatal semi truck accident while he attempted to divert traffic from Interstate 16 where another collision had occurred.

According to the complaint, the officer was killed in the fatal semi truck accident on May 25 this year while siting in his patrol car at just 37-years-old.

His widow, Jarnique, filed a new lawsuit against the driver of the semi-truck which hit the patrol car, Charles L., as well as HSI Logistics LLC, Howard Sheppard Bulk, Howard Sheppard Container Services, Howard Sheppard and Great West Casualty Co. The latter four defendants were the driver’s employer, related subsidiaries, and associated auto insurance company according to a Savannah Morning News article.

Charles L. allegedly rammed into police officer Christie’s patrol car while he was inside of it. The circumstances of the fatal semi truck accident as outlined in the Chatham County, Georgia State Court lawsuit indicate that the load-bearing truck was traveling east on I-16 and engaged with the front end of the police car, a 2011 Crown Victoria, on the passenger side. The impact alleegdly occurred at full speed.

The direct and immediate consequence of the collision was to send the car spinning out of control with the officer still inside, Jarnique claims. When the vehicle came to a stop, the trapped public servant allegedly had to be pulled from the wreckage by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).

According to the Savannah Morning News story about the fatal semi truck accident, the policeman experienced several frightening moments and a state of shock which, in combination with his injuries, likely contributed to his death.

The lawsuit narrative indicates that there was plenty of time and no weather or visual obstructions for Charles L., the driver of the truck, to contend with on the day of the fatal semi truck accident.

All other cars and trucks in the region responded appropriately to the police attempt to divert traffic from I-16, but according to the lawsuit, Charles L. was either sleep-deprived or driving distractedly and allegedly didn’t slow down or stop.

As he made contact with the patrol car, the lawsuit alleges that the driver made no attempt to apply his brakes or turn the truck to avoid colliding. The impact under the weight of the load Charles L. was carrying was so severe that the frame of the policeman’s car was torn off in the fatal semi truck accident.

Charles L. is accused of being negligent and fully contributing to all of the injuries sustained by Officer Christie which led to his death. In combination with the employer’s alleged negligence in hiring, training, and overseeing the employee’s performance appropriately, the other defendants are also liable in this unfortunate situation, according to the lawsuit.

The officer’s widow is asking for an unspecific amount of compensatory damages to be determined at trial as well as punitive damages. The defendants have expressed their deepest sympathy for her but contend that the circumstances leading to her husband’s death played out much differently than the lawsuit indicates. They say they have fully cooperated with associated investigations.