A Texas woman has filed a $125 million wrongful-death lawsuit against The Weather Channel after its vehicle slammed into one driven by her son, a storm spotter for the National Weather Service, killing him.
Corbin Lee Jaeger, 25, was killed March 28, 2017, near Spur, Texas, when a vehicle driven by Kelley Williamson and Randall Yarnall smashed into his on County Road 419 southeast of Lubbock.
The on-air personalities — who also were killed — blew through a stop sign at 70 mph as they tried to shoot video of a tornado for their show, “Storm Wranglers,” according to the lawsuit, which claims the network was aware of their dangerous driving habits.
“Yarnall and Williamson had a history of reckless driving when storm chasing,” according to the lawsuit, which Karen Di Piazza filed Tuesday in federal district court in Lubbock.
Jaeger had the right of way when his Jeep Patriot was struck by the Chevrolet Suburban, which was being driven by Yarnall as it livestreamed footage, the lawsuit states.
“The force of the collision caused the equipment-laden Suburban to catapult over a five-foot-tall fence 150 feet from the point of impact,” it says.
“Jaeger, a certified storm spotter for the National Weather Service who had planned to return to college in Arizona to pursue a career as a meteorologist, was driving westward away from that tornado, when he was struck and killed.”
Not only did The Weather Channel not stop their reckless driving, the lawsuit said, but benefited from it because it would “increase the sense of danger” for their show.
A spokesman for The Weather Channel told EverythingLubbock.com that the outlet was “saddened” by the three deaths.
“They were beloved members of the weather community and our deepest sympathies go out to the families and loved ones of all involved. We cannot comment on pending litigation,” the rep said.
Storm chasers track and monitor severe weather in attempts to provide early warning so people can evacuate or seek shelter.
“They take pride in filming and reporting the story to protect area residents,” attorney Robert Ball of San Diego, who is representing Di Piazza, said in a statement, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“Unfortunately, Williamson and Yarnall, who were chicken farmers and cattle ranchers by trade, became the story, taking the life of Corbin Jaeger with them.”
