Suit filed, another planned in crash of van operated by Florida church charity
By Jim Greene
Published on November 30, 2005
The family of a man who died after being injured in the crash of a van operated by Catholic Charities of Boca Raton plans to file the second lawsuit over the car crash.
Through their attorneys, the family of Michael Cass blames injuries he received in the August 16 crash for his wrongful death two months later. Cass was one of 13 passengers injured when the van swerved off the road and hit a tree head on.
The family of injured passenger Lori Hoyt has already filed suit, accusing van driver Vena Valseus of carelessness and negligence in the crash. The Catholic Diocese of Palm Beach County and Catholic Charities are also named in the suit as the owners of the van and Valseus' employers.
A spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said a medical examiner has not yet ruled whether or not Cass' death was the result of injuries received in the crash, and that no criminal charges have been filed.
The van was transporting residents of three group homes to a job-training center at the time of the crash.
Valseus said another vehicle forced her off the road, a claim which was disputed by witnesses at the scene. Court records show she has two traffic citations, both of which were dismissed.
The suit filed on behalf of Hoyt says she suffered orthopedic injuries and loss of vision.
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