Driver in fatal crash sues victim's estate
LIHUE » A Gas Co. driver involved in an accident that killed a mother, father and son has sued the trustee of the mother's estate in Kauai Circuit Court.
Eddie Taniguchi III, still a Gas Co. employee, no longer drives for the company, said Taniguchi's lawyer, Teresa Tico. He suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, mental anguish and other emotional and physical problems.
"Everyone is entitled to justice," Tico said yesterday. "It's a very sad case."
Taniguchi was driving his truck near Waimea last August when a Chevrolet Impala rental car driven by Lan Kim Yim, 44, attempted to make a U-turn in front of him and was broadsided.
Yim, her husband, Yong T. "Michael" Yim, and 7-year-old Brandon died in the accident. Another son, then age 5, survived and is being raised by family in California.
Taniguchi was cleared of any wrongdoing, Tico said.
"It's not anything against the defendant," said Tico. "It's against the insurance company."
The family has sued the Gas Co., Tico added.