OSTERHOUDT BRINGS SUIT OVER WRONGFUL DEATH - March, 2002 Collision

(08/25/2002)

A civil suit related to a settlement claiming the wrongful death of Virginia Osterhoudt of Orma, will be heard in Calhoun Circuit Court on Monday. Ms. Osterhoudt died in a two vehicle collision on Leatherbark, US 33/119 east of the Roane-Calhoun line, on March 17, 2002.

Ms. Osterhoudt died at the scene after a truck driven by Braxton County resident Walter Jack "crossed the center line and struck the Osterhoudt vehicle," also injuring Douglas Osterhodt, the deceased woman's husband and six-year-old Brittany Clearwater.

Walter Jack's truck crashes Osterhoudt vehicle left of center

According to court records, Walter Jack was not charged with any offenses related to the "wrongful death" other than a possible citation for driving left of center. The accident was investigated by State Police Trooper Fred Hammack.

The civil suit claims Walter Jack was solely at fault.

Ms. Osterhoudt died at scene, family members hospitalized

Douglas Osterhoudt, according to the suit, suffered serious injuries, his hospitalization coming to $41,787 at Charleston Area Medical Center.

Brittany Clearwater's hospital bill came to $8,175.

Court records indicate Nationwide Insurance has offered to settle the claim for $100,000, the maximum recovery amount.