A consent judgment has been issued in the Grundy County Circuit Court regarding a wrongful death suit stemming from a fatality accident last year on East 9th in Trenton.
A motor vehicle collided with the rear of a buggy claiming the life of 57-year-old Elizabeth Hostetler of Spickard and injuring her ten-year-old daughter. Joe Hostetler filed the lawsuit last July against the driver of the vehicle, Christina Diane Airey of Trenton.
After it was announced both parties were waiving a jury trial, Circuit Court Judge Thomas Alley approved judgment and settlement on both counts of the petition with the distribution of proceeds authorized.
According to court documents obtained by KTTN, the plaintiff – Joe Hostetler – was awarded $25,000 on each count. Regarding the wrongful death count, the court ordered the $25,000 to be divided among attorneys’ fees and expenses; and four health care providers. The remaining net proceeds of $8,167 goes to Joe Hostetler.
On the second count regarding the daughters’ personal injury claims, the court approved the $25,000 settlement including the unspecified distribution of net proceeds. The suit when it was filed only requested damages that the court deemed fair and just.
In September of 2019. in Associate Division of Circuit Court, Christina Airey pleaded guilty to a state charge of operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident – a misdemeanor. On a plea agreement, Ms. Airey received a suspended six months sentence in the county jail; probation for two years; a $500 fine plus court costs; and to perform 100 hours of community service work.
