Fatal motorcycle ride leads Youngstown woman to sue mother's husband, car driver

Patty Hagerty

A Youngstown woman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit after her mother died following a motorcycle crash during a fundraising ride. The lawsuit names the driver of the car involved and the victim's husband, who was driving the motorcycle.

 Carla R. Paris filed the lawsuit in Mahoning County against Gloria J. Dothard and Harold Hagerty III, seeking more than $25,000 in damages.

According to the lawsuit, Paris' mother, Patricia Ann Hagerty, was a passenger on a three-wheeled motorcycle driven by her husband, Harold Hagerty III, on June 25, 2023. They were participating in a memorial run to honor Teddy Foltz, a 14-year-old who was murdered by his mother's boyfriend.

The lawsuit states that while riding on State Route 616 in Coitsville, Dothard turned her car in front of another motorcycle, driven by Paul Halfelder, causing Halfelder to crash. Harold Hagerty III then crashed into Halfelder’s motorcycle, ejecting Patricia Ann Hagerty onto the road.

Patricia Ann Hagerty suffered serious injuries and died on Oct. 30, 2023.

Paris claims both Dothard and Harold Hagerty III were negligent. She is suing for her mother's medical expenses, lost income, loss of companionship, and wrongful death on behalf of her mother's beneficiaries.

Dothard was subsequently convicted of a misdemeanor for a broken taillight.

Paris has requested a jury trial.

The defendants have not yet filed a response to the complaint.