Cops and Courts

Woman files suit over friend’s hit-and-run death

MORGANTOWN — A friend walking with Carli Sears when she was hit and killed by a drunk driver filed a lawsuit against the man behind the wheel and others.

This month, Madeleine Wymer filed suit against Alexander Hambrick, his parents Kimberly and Brad Hambrick, DC LLC which does business as Jameson’s Annex, its owner Michael Schuman and Thomas Vanlandingham, who owns the property where Jameson’s sits.

Hambrick was convicted of DUI with death and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. He was sentenced to the Anthony Center — a correctional facility for youthful offenders — where he remains an inmate.

In January 2015, Hambrick drank at Jameson’s and left in a pickup truck. He was driving along Stewart Street when he went up on a sidewalk and struck Sears, who died as a result of her injuries.

The Sears family filed a similar lawsuit against Hambrick, Jameson’s and others. That civil suit remains active.

According to the Wymer filing, Hambrick was negligent in driving the truck and his parents negligently allowed him to use the vehicle.

The other defendants were named in a few counts, including allegations they had a duty from over-serving alcohol to intoxicated individuals and failed to adequately train employees.