BENTON – St. Clair County jail inmate Lajavion Ramsey bought car insurance 14 hours after a fatal crash, according to Esurance Insurance Services.
Esurance sued Ramsey at U.S. district court on Dec. 31, denying that it owed him a duty to cover the crash.
Esurance named Terri Arnett and Donald Arnett of De Soto, Mo. as defendants on behalf of deceased daughter Sierra, who died from injuries.
Esurance counsel Beth Boggs of Ladue, Mo. named six other defendants.
Boggs wrote that most defendants contacted Esurance through counsel to advise about their claims for damages.
According to Esurance’s complaint, after 2 a.m. on Aug. 17, Ramsey – whose address is listed at the jail in Belleville – drove his 2014 Dodge Charger to Washington Avenue in St. Louis.
“Ramsey became nervous when he saw numerous people gathered on the corners of Washington Avenue, as he claims he was previously shot in St. Louis,” Boggs wrote.
“Ramsey claims he believed someone was holding a gun and panicked, wanting to get home.
“Ramsey claims to have been traveling at 40 to 50 miles per hour on Washington Avenue when he crossed through a yellow light and a Silverado truck pulled in front of him.”
She wrote that defendant William Rankin of Bonne Terre, Mo. was operating the truck with passengers in the bed.
“Ramsey hit the brakes, but was unable to bring his vehicle to a stop,” Boggs wrote.
According to the complaint, the vehicles collided and the passengers were ejected. A police report indicates the collision occurred at 2:28 a.m.
Ramsey purchased insurance online at 4:51 p.m., according to the complaint. At the time he indicated he resided at 725 Royal Heights Road in Belleville.
The policy was not bound until after the accident occurred, Esurance contends.
Boggs wrote that the policy stated, “We may void this policy if you or an insured person made incorrect statements or misrepresentations to us with regard to any material fact or circumstance that affects our acceptance of the risk insured by us.”
She wrote that it also stated, “We do not provide coverage or benefits for any person who has made fraudulent statements or engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with any accident or loss for which coverage or benefits are sought under this policy.”
U.S. Magistrate Judge Reona Daly will preside unless a party declines consent to magistrate jurisdiction.
If that happens the court clerk will assign a district judge.