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OGDEN — The family of a couple who died in a plane crash in Weber County in July filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Weber County District Court.
West Haven residents Perry and Sarah Huffaker, ages 45 and 42, and Taylor residents Layne and Diana Clarke, ages 48 and 46, died July 26 when the Beech A36 Bonanza plane they were in crashed on I-15 in Riverdale. The plane had taken off from Ogden-Hinckley Airport just before 1 p.m. on July 26 and crashed about half a mile away from the airport.
It could take more than a year for officials from the National Transportation Safety Board to determine exactly what caused the crash.
A complaint filed Friday in Weber County District Court says Layne and Diana Clarke were owners of the plane and were operating it at the time of the crash.
Two of the Huffaker’s children and both sets of the couple's parents are named as plaintiffs in the complaint. The lawsuit is filed against Donette Crayton, who represents the estates of Layne and Diana Clarke.
The complaint alleges that the Clarkes failed to “use reasonable care” in the operation of the airplane, which led to the wrongful deaths of Perry and Sarah Huffaker.
The Clarkes and the Huffakers were close friends and were traveling to Island Park in Idaho for a vacation together when the crash occurred in July.
The Huffakers are seeking a jury trial to determine damages to pay for medical and other expenses, other financial losses and to provide relief for emotional suffering the family experienced as a result of the crash, as well as court and attorney fees, according to the complaint.
