On June 13, a significant development occurred in the ongoing litigation surrounding the fatal boating accident that took place near Moundville on July 4, 2018. After settlement talks, multiple plaintiffs have agreed to dismiss their claims against Chaparral Boats, Inc., the manufacturer of the boat involved in the deadly collision. This decision was formalized in a stipulation for dismissal with prejudice, filed in the Circuit Court of Hale County, Alabama.
The dismissing plaintiffs include James Malcome Poole, Tamela Carole Fowler (as Administrator of the Estate of Destiny Carole Graben), Christopher Halper, Andrea Glover, Donna Morrow (as Co-Personal Representatives of the Estate of Richard L. Glover), Michael Brown, and Abby Green. These plaintiffs had previously filed lawsuits against Chaparral Boats, Inc. for various claims arising out of the boating accident, which resulted in two deaths and multiple injuries.
The stipulation, signed by the representatives of both parties, confirms that the claims and any amendments thereto are dismissed with prejudice, meaning they cannot be refiled. Each party will bear its own legal costs. It is noteworthy that the parties’ claims against Richard Latham Jr., the operator of the boat at the time of the accident, remain active and are not affected by this dismissal.
A court order, signed by Circuit Judge Marvin W. Wiggins on June 16, 2024, officially grants the stipulation for dismissal with prejudice. This legal maneuver narrows the scope of the ongoing litigation, which has been marked by complex proceedings involving multiple defendants and highstakes claims, including wrongful death and negligence.
The decision to dismiss Chaparral Boats, Inc. follows earlier attempts at mediation and ongoing settlement discussions among the involved parties. This legal development is a pivotal point in the litigation, potentially influencing the outcomes for the remaining defendants, including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and ALFA Mutual Insurance Company. The litigation against Richard Latham Jr. and the insurance entities continues.
