CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - The sister of a residential facility patient who was found dead in a transport van in April has filed a civil lawsuit seeking $7.5 million from the facility.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports Edith Parkey filed a lawsuit Aug. 30 claiming that Orange Grove Center is responsible for the wrongful death of her “cognitively impaired and disabled” brother, 60-year-old Carrie Lee Parkey Jr.
Her attorney Robert Thompson says she filed the lawsuit to obtain further information as to why the longtime patient was left in the van, where the filing says he died from hyperthermia and dehydration.
Chattanooga authorities are still investigating the death, and Hamilton County District Attorney General Neal Pinkston will review evidence to determine if criminal charges are warranted.
Facility spokeswoman Heidi Hoffecker declined to comment.
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Information from: Chattanooga Times Free Press, https://www.timesfreepress.com
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