The survivors of a man killed last year when his vehicle was rear-ended by a man fleeing Crest Hill authorities have filed suit against the local police department, claiming that officers’ negligence ultimately caused the fatal wreck.
Sixty-year-old Suos Khloth, of Joliet, was killed in the wreck, which occurred May 26, 2019, in Crest Hill, according to authorities. Family members this week filed suit against the Crest Hill Police Department and the individual officer who took the lead during the pursuit.
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A car injury attorney has been hired to help Khloth’s survivors navigate the civil court process.
Anthony Casterberry, now 23, of Joliet, fled from a traffic stop in Crest Hill at about 1 a.m. May 26 of last year, according to authorities. Officers pursued Casterberry at high speeds for about five minutes until the suspect’s vehicle slammed into the rear of Khloth’s car, police said.
Khloth sustained fatal injuries in the wreck. Ratanak Kong, Khloth’s passenger, suffered a broken collarbone in the incident, according to local authorities.
Casterberry allegedly fled the scene on foot after the crash. He was at large for several weeks, but eventually was captured in Tennessee and extradited to Will County.
Casterberry remains held at the Will County Jail awaiting trial on multiple charges, including reckless homicide, aggravated fleeing and aggravated reckless driving.
According to court documents filed this week, the car injury attorney representing Khloth’s survivors claimed that Officer John McHale pursued Casterberry at high speeds, despite Crest Hill Police Department policy prohibiting pursuits on rain-soaked streets. The family is seeking $50,000 in damages, as well as court-related costs.
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