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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The parents of a Utah inmate killed in a southern Arkansas van rollover in 2008 have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a private company that contracts with law enforcement to transport prisoners across the country.
Court papers filed in Salt Lake City's U.S. District Court Friday claimed U.S. Extradition Services of Stockton, Calif., was negligent in the June 27, 2008, accident that killed Shawn Robert Talbot. The lawsuit filed by Robert and Linda Talbot contended the driver fell asleep at the wheel before the van drifted into oncoming traffic on U.S. 167.
Another employee grabbed the wheel of the van and overcorrected. The van then hit a culvert and went airborne before rolling twice and coming to a stop, an Arkansas State Police officer told a newspaper at the time.
Court papers said Talbot, 29, was handcuffed and shackled, but not wearing a seat belt. He died at the scene.
Seven inmates and two guards were in the van, which was headed to Little Rock, the state police said. One other inmate was killed, and four were injured.
A telephone message left at U.S. Extradition's corporate office was not immediately returned Tuesday.
David Morgan, a Utah attorney for Talbot's parents, told The Associated Press he believes U.S. Extradition employees were not properly trained.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages. Named as defendants in the lawsuit are company President and Operations Director Gordon Brooks and employee Gregory Reed.
A company website said U.S. Extradition has offices nationwide, including Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
