JOPLIN, Mo. —
The parents of a Carthage girl who was killed in a traffic accident four years ago settled their wrongful-death lawsuit Tuesday with the insurance company for the teenage driver who was sent to prison for manslaughter and vehicular assault.
Andy and Debbie Smallwood will receive $50,000 from American Family Insurance Group in the settlement of their lawsuit against Jarub R. Baird, 20.
Their 15-year-old daughter, Hannah Smallwood, died in the accident Dec. 8, 2006, on County Road 120 just outside Carthage. Baird, who was 17 at the time, was driving a Mazda Millenia, with Smallwood and two other teens as passengers. The speeding car left the road, sheared a utility pole off at its base, ran through a barbed-wire fence and rolled about the length of a football field.
Three of the four teens in the car were not wearing seat belts and were thrown from the vehicle. Smallwood was thrown from the back seat through the windshield and died at the scene. Her 16-year-old boyfriend, Colby Johnson, suffered a brain injury, a broken femur and three broken bones in his hand.
One teen, who put her seat belt on just seconds before the crash, suffered only minor injuries, as did Baird. A witness testified at his trial in 2008 that Baird seemed unconcerned about the others as he walked away from the car, and that he could be heard telling a friend on his cell phone: “Dude, we flew, man. Seriously, dude.”
Baird was convicted by jurors of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and second-degree assault. He was assessed consecutive sentences of four years and three years, and he remains incarcerated in the Missouri Department of Corrections.
Hearing
The Smallwoods appeared before Circuit Judge Gayle Crane in Jasper County Circuit Court in Joplin for the settlement hearing with their attorney and an attorney for the insurance company. The judge said the case would be dismissed when the court is notified that payments of $25,000 have been made to each of the parents.
Local News
Carthage girl’s parents settle accident lawsuit
- Local News
-
-
Prosecutor’s office asking state if campaign used county assets
The Jasper County prosecuting attorney’s office is asking the Missouri attorney general’s office to investigate whether Sheriff Archie Dunn has used the assets of his office for his re-election campaign.
-
Service dogs participate in ceremony recognizing them for their work
The Carl Junction post office has a reputation for promoting the release of special postage stamps in unique ways. Wednesday was no different.
-
Volunteers from Tuscaloosa paying it forward in Joplin
As the teens moved farther along the bleachers they were painting, splotches of bright red paint kept appearing where it didn’t exactly belong. On the ground. On their arms and legs. On their clothing.
-
Webb City mural taking shape at corner of Main, Broadway
Last Thursday, the north wall of the Middlewest Building at Main Street and Broadway was white. Eighteen gallons of paint and a whole lot of red Solo cups later, it will be a completed community mural depicting the Webb City Farmers Market.
-
Filing deadline approaching for county offices in Kansas
The candidacy filing deadline for those seeking Kansas county offices that are subject to the Aug. 7 primary election is noon Friday.
-
Economic development strategies emerge from Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative meeting
More than 30 people shared ideas Wednesday on ways to promote economic development in the seven counties that are participating in the Joplin Regional Prosperity Initiative.
-
Mike Pound: Singing the praises of music teacher
When I was in sixth grade, Sister Susan, the music teacher at St. Xavier’s Catholic School, walked over to me while I and my fellow students were singing at Easter midnight Mass and said a bit loudly: “Mike, don’t sing.”
-
Electric bill to drop $6 a month in Joplin
The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a request filed by The Empire District Electric Company, based in Joplin, to lower the fuel adjustment charge (FAC) on the bills of its electric customers.
-
Mo. Legislature officially ends its 2012 session
Missouri's annual legislative session has officially come to a close.
-
Strong to severe storms forecast for Joplin region
Storms developing across the central and southern plains this afternoon are expected to migrate into the Joplin region this evening.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Prosecutor’s office asking state if campaign used county assets
