MADISON (WKOW) -- Notices of claim filed with the city of Madison say a city worker was on a lunch break and chose to drive across a busy park, when she hit a sunbather, who later died of her injuries.
The claims filed on behalf of the estate of the victim, 37-year old Karen Remington, and her father Ronald Remington, state city truck driver Kelsey Johnson and two other workers were in a dump truck when Remington was hit as she sunbathed May 23.
"The three city employees got into the truck to drive over to the west side of the park near the park shelter," the claims state. "The park shelter is only 200-250 yards from the parking lot. Rather than walk the short distance to the parking lot...the three city employees chose to take a shortcut through the park...across the grass where many people were sunbathing , napping, eating lunch, playing."
The claims state Johnson had not been trained to operate the city dump truck. City records show Johnson has worked a seasonal Parks employee since 2007.
Assistant Parks Superintendent Eric Knepp has yet to return a call from 27 News seeking comment.
According to the claims, Remington died as the result of complications from two surgeries, with her medical care costing $180,000.
A notice of claim is a preliminary step to the potential filing of a lawsuit.
Each of the three claims filed with the city of Madison ask for $250,000.
The claims also state city parks officials have failed to enforce procedures for the safe operation of city-owned vehicles in city parks.
The claimants' attorney, Eric Munson, declined comment when contacted by 27 News.
Madison police officials say an on-going investigation into Remington's death will not be complete until the results of all testing are completed.
