Man Charged in Fatal Albemarle Co. Crash Faces Wrongful Death Suit - NBC 29 News
The family of an Albemarle County man who died in a suspected DUI accident is now suing the man police say caused the crash. The family of Lonnie Branham is suing Andrew Blackwell Middleditch , asking for $1. 5 million in compensatory damages and $350,000 in punitive damages. The wrongful death lawsuit stems from an accident that occurred on Barracks Road shortly after 8 a. m. Monday, May 25. Police say 55 year-old Andrew Blackwell Middleditch was turning left onto a farm in his GMC Yukon. That's when officers say 78 year-old Lonnie Wycliffe Branham tried to pass him on the left. The suit says the crash caused Branham's car to roll, crash into some boulders, crushing the roof of the car and killing Branham. Middleditch also has a DUI conviction from 2011. Middleditch is still facing an involuntary manslaughter charge in Albemarle County for that crash. Source: www.nbc29.com