LISBON The Ohio Supreme Court is being asked to appoint a visiting judge to hear a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the Columbiana County Sheriff's office related to an August 2023 pursuit and crash, in which a woman was killed, and her son was injured.

The case, which had been assigned to Judge Scott Washam, was brought by the estate of Jennifer Hunley and the family of her son, Daryn Crozier. Hunley, 47, died after a stolen vehicle, driven by Gerald Jackson, struck her car on Teegarden Road. Her son, then 11, was also in the vehicle and suffered serious injuries.

The lawsuit claims that a high-speed pursuit by sheriff's deputies contributed to the collision. It named Columbiana County Sheriff Brian McLaughlin, and deputies Robert Vukovich and Brian Deak, as defendants, alongside Jackson, who was convicted in the crash. The suit alleges Deputy Vukovich was chasing Jackson at speeds that violated the county's pursuit standards.

In their formal answer, filed last week, the defendants claim that Jackson's actions caused the crash, admitting that a pursuit was underway. They also acknowledge that it was raining and that the roads were slippery. However, they deny that their deputies acted recklessly or that their conduct contributed to the crash.

The county's filing also asserts several defenses, including that they are entitled to immunity, a legal principle that can protect government bodies and their employees from lawsuits for certain actions.

A jury trial has been requested.

Gerald Jackson is serving a 15-to-20-year prison sentence after being convicted of aggravated vehicular homicide, aggravated vehicular assault, and other charges.