SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The first civil suit has been filed in the May wreck that killed three Macomb County high school students and injured two others.
The family of Emanuel "Manny" Malaj who died in the crash has filed a civil suit against the family that owned the car, and the family of the boy who was driving the Jaguar.
Police say five friends had been drinking and partying when they hopped into a Jaguar owned by Greg Bobchick's family. Bobchick was strapped into the front passenger seat, Jonathon Manolios was driving. Emanuel Malaj, Joseph Narra and Michael Wells were in the back seat.
The boys were driving the car at speeds up to 82 miles an hour through Stony Creek Metro Park when Manolios lost control and the car went airborne and flipped.
The civil suit claims Bobchick's parents were aware the boys had been drinking and/or smoking pot in their home. It also claims that the adults knew that Jonathan Manolios has what the civil suit claims is a dangerous driving history.
The suit is claiming wrongful death and negligent supervision, among others.
According to court documents, the allegation is Manolios was driving recklessly and was arguing with Bobchick when Bobchick tried to take the wheel and Manolios lost control of the car.
The suit doesn't specify a dollar figure that is being sought. Attorney Joseph Dedvukaj tells Local 4 that it is more important that someone is held accountable.