Suit Filed In Jonesboro Auto Auction Crash

An insurance company has filed a court action that seeks to resolve all claims from an accident in which 28 people were hurt when a car plowed through a crowd at an auto auction in Jonesboro. The February 21st, 2003, accident at the Jonesboro Auto Auction occurred when a 1996 Kia Sephia that went out of control and struck the victims. Several victims have filed suit in state court or U-S District Court against the owner of the auto auction and the driver vehicle. Allstate Insurance Company deposited one million dollars into a holding account and asks that the money be paid to people filing claims. The company says Burlington Insurance Company is also responsible to pay out one million dollars and asks for an order that the company also pay into the fund for victims. Witnesses said the car was being driven in front of a grandstand where prospective buyers sat. The car struck the corner of the grandstand and then hit a number of the people in the stands. The car finally crashed into a wall. Police said the car was traveling about 40 to 50 miles per hour.