Teen sues St. Louis after accident; responsible man out on bond.

An Inspiring Story of Resilience: Teenage Volleyball Player Sues City After Losing Both Legs in Tragic Accident

In a heartbreaking turn of events, an 18-year-old girl from Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against the city of St. Louis after a devastating car accident resulted in the amputation of both her legs. This tragic incident, which the police say was partially caused by a man out on bond, has left the young athlete fighting for justice and seeking damages from the city.

Janae Edmondson, a talented high school volleyball player, was competing in a tournament in St. Louis when she found herself pinned between two cars in February. The collision, caused by 21-year-old Daniel Riley, who was out on bond for an armed robbery case, led to a chain reaction that ultimately resulted in Edmondson losing both her legs.

The lawsuit filed by Edmondson and her family states that this tragic accident could have been prevented. Riley, who had violated the terms of his bond multiple times, was driving a vehicle that collided with another car, causing it to strike Edmondson. The lawsuit seeks to hold the city accountable for negligence in allowing Riley to be out on bond despite his repeated violations.

The ordeal brought waves of negative publicity and eventually, among other incidents, led to the resignation of St. Louis’ top prosecutor, Kim Gardner. Now, Janae Edmondson is seeking damages from the city, as she accuses the government of negligence. https://t.co/07S87qImqU

— St. Louis Business Journal (@stlouisbiz) June 22, 2023

The defendants in the case include St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, Daniel Riley, and the other driver involved in the accident. The lawsuit aims to shed light on the negligence that allowed Riley to be on the road despite his bond violations and hold all responsible parties accountable.

This is Daniel Riley, the man accused of causing a crash in downtown St. Louis that severely injured a young volleyball player. #News4Investigates is digging into his background and learning he never should have been driving. More on @KMOV at 6 pic.twitter.com/MMoxEgmGPl

— Susan El Khoury (@SusanElKhoury) February 21, 2023

According to the lawsuit, Riley repeatedly violated the terms of his bond, including allowing the GPS tracker monitoring him to die and leaving house arrest over 50 times, all without facing consequences. This blatant disregard for the conditions of his bond ultimately led to the tragic accident that changed Edmondson’s life forever.

The armed robbery case against Riley, which dates back to 2020, is still ongoing. The former prosecutor, Kim Gardner, faced criticism for allowing Riley to be out of jail despite the serious charges against him.

Riley has pleaded not guilty to charges related to the crash and is still facing the armed robbery case. The lawsuit aims to bring justice to Edmondson and ensure that Riley is held accountable for his actions.

Both drivers involved in the accident, Riley and Elizabeth Smith, were driving without valid or suspended driver’s licenses and were speeding, according to the lawsuit. Edmondson also holds the city responsible for the dangerous roadway where the accident occurred, further emphasizing the need for accountability.

Despite the immense challenges she faces, Edmondson’s spirit remains unbroken. After spending 40 days in the hospital, she has shown incredible strength and resilience. She had been accepted into the University of Tennessee Southern to play volleyball and has now received a partial scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University to continue her involvement in the sport.

In a heartwarming display of support, a GoFundMe campaign started by Edmondson’s family has raised over $800,000 to assist with her recovery. The community has rallied behind her, offering prayers and encouragement as she embarks on her journey towards healing and adapting to her new circumstances.

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