Family files civil suit

YOUNGSTOWN -- Family members have filed a civil complaint in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on the second anniversary of a city man's death in a car accident.
Tharmaine Phillips, administrator of the estate of Claxton Phillips, is suing Randall K. Richardson, 41, of Lilburne Drive for damages in excess of $25,000.
Claxton Phillips, 35, of Foster Drive, was a passenger in a car Richardson was driving Feb. 21, 2004, on the Himrod Avenue Expressway. Richardson acted negligently when he accelerated, sideswiping another vehicle and causing his car to hit a concrete center divider, the suit states. Police said Richardson's car hit the divider a few times before landing on its passenger side.
Phillips is survived by his parents, children and siblings.
Richardson was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, driving under the influence and having a blood-alcohol content of more than 0.17. The legal limit is 0.08. His trial is pending.
An unidentified insurance company also is named in the lawsuit because Claxton Phillips was believed to have bought auto insurance that included uninsured motorists coverage. Richardson was uninsured at the time of the accident, the suit states.