Woman thrown off Troy parade float sues after leg is amputated

A Madison County woman and her husband have filed suit against Ace Hardware of Troy, Troy Lions Club, the city of Troy and Steven Faulkner, alleging the woman's leg had to be amputated after she was thrown from a parade float, then run over by the same float.

Sheila and John Jolley claim Sheila was riding on an Ace Hardware float in a July 25 parade Troy Lions Club sponsored when the incident occurred.

"During the procession, and while plaintiff, Sheila Jolley, was throwing candy to the spectators, defendant, Steven Faulkner, made a sudden stop and caused plaintiff, Sheila Jolley, to be throw from the float," the complaint filed Oct. 24 in Madison County Circuit Court states. "Defendant, Faulkner, then resumed moving forward and ran over Sheila Jolley with the right wheels of the float."

Because of the accident, Sheila's right leg was amputated and she spent substantial amounts on medical expenses, the suit states.

Sheila claims she also suffered a disability, lost her capacity to earn a living, experienced great pain and suffering and suffered loss of a normal life.

John lost Sheila's companionship, society and consortium, according to the complaint.

The Jolleys claim Ace Hardware and Steve Faulkner were negligent because they failed to provide a safe float, failed to keep a proper lookout for parade participants, failed to properly apply the brakes of the float, drove too fast and failed to safely operate the float.

Troy Lions Club and the city of Troy negligently allowed a parade to operate in such a manner that injured Sheila, failed to supervise the parade to prevent injuries, failed to provide adequate traffic control to avoid Sheila's injuries, failed to take appropriate steps to protect Sheila from injuries and failed to enact or enforce rules regarding traffic flow, according to the complaint.

In addition, the city of Troy was negligent because it failed to keep its streets in a safe condition and permitted the parade, the suit states.

The Jolleys are seeking unspecified damages.

They are represented by Joseph R. Hillebrand of Kassly, Bone, English and Hillebrand.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-994.