The alleged gross negligence of five individuals, resulting in the loss of a father and a husband, has an Oakland County family heading to court.
A civil suit was filed in Oakland County Circuit Court last week by Steven Potter, attorney for Brooks Stuart Patterson’s widow, Jessie Patterson of Lake Orion, in the death of her husband, 28, who was killed the evening of Feb. 10 on Lake Shinanguag in Atlas Township.
Patterson and his friend Robert Slade, 48, (who owns property on the lake) were riding together on the same snowmobile that evening when they collided with a snowmobile driven by Jason Anderson, 34, of Davison.
At the time of the incident, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton stated in a press release that he concluded probable cause could not be shown in the accident.
According to Leyton, the statute requires that it be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that a snowmobile was operated in a careless and heedless manner in willful and wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others. Based on the investigation, there is insufficient evidence to meet that standard.
Patterson’s father, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, issued a statement expressing his displeasure with Leyton’s decision.
‘What people may not know is that police reports say the five sleds were racing,? said Potter. ‘The owner made an admission of going at speeds from 80 to 100 mph. Parents on the lake got their binoculars to watch because they were concerned about the safety of their children. Brooks was going out on the ice, as little as 200 feet to pick up some wood, when the five sleds came out of nowhere.?
‘They want what anyone would want to gain through this kind of suit, and that is monetary compensation,? said Potter who added that Patterson left behind his wife, a 7-year-old, 4-year-old and a newborn child.
‘This family does not have as much money as people may think.?
Named in the suit are, Wayne Ehlers, who owned the snowmobile Anderson was riding, Robert Kerwin, Dennis Hipps, Alan Goldstein and Kevin Koski, all were riding snowmobiles on the frozen lake that evening. The suit is seeking a jury trial for unspecified compensation.
‘I want the courts to decide, not the court of popular opinion,? said Ron Whitney, Anderson’s stepfather, who declined further comment regarding the civil suit.