In recent news, a trucking company faces allegations of wrongful death in a lawsuit filed by the victim’s partner.

The Case: Spangle the Clown v. Lala Trucking, Inc. and Baljinder Singh

The Court: US District Court for the Western District of Missouri

The Case No.: 6:2022cv03324

The Plaintiff: Spangle the Clown v. Lala Trucking, Inc. and Baljinder Singh

The plaintiff in the case, Spangle the Clown, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a truck driver and the trucking company he was driving for when the incident occurred. Before legally changing his name over 20 years ago, Spangle the Clown was known as Ronald Poindexter. In October 2022, Spangle the Clown filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Greene County, Missouri due to the death of his partner, Gloria Jean Grimsley. The two had a magic act and posed as Mr. and Mrs. Claus annually during the Christmas season. Grimsley’s adopted daughter, Amanda May, later filed a motion to join the wrongful death lawsuit.

The Defendant: Spangle the Clown v. Lala Trucking, Inc. and Baljinder Singh

The defendants in the case are Lala Trucking, Inc. and Baljinder Singh. Lala Trucking, Inc, founded by Varinder Singh in 2019, is a Fresno, California-based trucking company, and Baljinder Singh is one of their drivers. On March 23rd, just after 5 am, Grimsley was driving on US Highway 65 just north of Springfield when a 2016 Freightliner Cascadia driven by Bljinder Singh struck her vehicle, a 2000 Pontiac Montana. Singh was operating his vehicle as an independent contractor for Lala Trucking. Grimsley was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The Case: Spangle the Clown v. Lala Trucking, Inc. and Baljinder Singh

Lala Trucking operates four trucks and uses six drivers. The company hauls fresh produce, meat, and other refrigerated foods. The Missouri Department of Transportation investigated the incident citing Baljinder Singh and Lala Trucking for failure to yield the right of way, an unsafe driving violation, and a false report of the driver’s record of duty status, which is an hours-of-service violation. Both defendants listed were also hit with two vehicle maintenance violations after the fatal crash, including an automatic airbrake adjustment system failing to compensate for wear and a clamp/roto-type brake that was out of adjustment on the truck.

If you have questions about how to file a California wrongful death lawsuit, please get in touch with Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik DeBlouw LLP. Experienced wrongful death attorneys are ready to assist you in various law firm offices in San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Riverside, and Chicago.