LEXINGTON, Ky. — The family of a 16-year-old boy killed in a July crash on Interstate 75 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a truck driver and his employer, alleging negligence and a history of dangerous driving contributed to the fatal collision.

^{Photo credit: Sam Aguiar Injury Lawyers}

Tristan Brown, 16, died on July 20 when a Hills Trucking Company semi-truck slammed into the vehicle carrying him, his father, and his sister, according to WKYT. His father and sister were injured.

The lawsuit names David Turner, the truck driver, and Hills Trucking Company as defendants. Court records cited in the lawsuit claim Turner was distracted and did not apply his brakes until after the crash, despite clear weather and normal traffic conditions. He is also accused of failing to pay attention to traffic patterns and roadway conditions.

Attorneys for the family say Turner has a history of dangerous driving, including past citations for reckless driving, speeding, and having an open container in a vehicle. The suit also alleges the truck he was operating had a cracked brake drum, and that Hills Trucking Company should have been aware of Turner’s driving history before allowing him behind the wheel of a commercial truck.

Tristan’s mother, Lindsey Brown, said her son had struggled with mental health challenges after years of bullying but had turned his life toward helping others. “After we lost him we had so many kids come up and say Tristan helped me in my darkest time,” she said. “We want to know what happened that day. We want to bring awareness to safe driving.”

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According to WKYT, the family is seeking financial compensation as part of the wrongful death claim.

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