When a tragedy strikes, it is natural to ask why. When a preventable tragedy strikes that results in death, we want to hold the responsible party accountable. The latter is the belief of Matt and Lauren Kirchgessner, who want justice for their children’s deaths.
The Kirchgessner family was on vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, playing mini golf when a truck crashed into the course and killed 6-year-old Addie and 4-year-old Baylor in 2020. Authorities investigated this tragedy but came to the conclusion that the driver, Scott Donaldson, was not at fault because he was sober and having an epileptic seizure. The Kirchgessners and their attorneys, Jack T. Cook and Clay Townsend from the law firm of Morgan & Morgan, believe it is more complicated than that and are filing a civil suit against Donaldson’s doctor and the local bar owned by Donaldson.
"We shouldn't be here. We should be home with our children having dinner, doing homework, and reading bedtime stories," Lauren Kirchgessner said. "We believe that multiple people could have prevented this tragedy, and we never want this to happen to another family. The doctor needs to be held accountable for the decisions he made that we believe led to our children's tragic deaths, and we call on everyone to take responsibility for keeping dangerous drivers off the road.”
The Kirchgessners’ suit claims that the crash that killed Addie and Baylor was not Donaldson’s first accident. He had been in five prior accidents that were caused by his alcohol-related seizures. They believe his doctor, Tim M. Smith, should have prevented him from being behind the wheel. They are seeking at least $50,000 in damages.
Also named in their suit is Billy's Oyster Bar, which Donaldson owns. The suit alleges that Donaldson often was served "copious amounts of alcohol despite the staff's knowledge that he had significant struggles with alcohol that resulted in multiple car crashes.”
To learn more about this tragic situation and the steps the Kirchgessners are taking to get accountability for the deaths of their children, watch this video.
