Mon, Jul 06, 2009

Tucson Region

Family of woman killed in funeral procession sues

By Kim Smith
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.25.2007
The family of a Tucson woman who was killed on her way to a funeral has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against a motorcycle escort service and Carrillo's Tucson Mortuary.
According to the lawsuit, filed last week in Pima County Superior Court, Carrillo's and the escort company "failed to provide safe traffic control" for the April 2005 graveside service of Aaron Anaya Jr.
Adelina Gonzalez, 44, and her son, Adam Gonzalez, 24, were riding a motorcycle in the funeral procession when they were hit by a vehicle driven by Isabell Lira, 69.
Adelina Gonzalez was killed and Adam Gonzalez was seriously injured.
Lira, who could not be reached for comment Tuesday, was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
Robert Doss, part-owner of Southwest Rangers Motorcycle Escort Services, and Leo Carrillo, owner of Carrillo's Tucson Mortuary, said the Gonzalezes' own actions contributed to Adelina Gonzalez's death.
The pair took it upon themselves to act as motorcycle escorts through an intersection and they were struck as they tried to catch up with the rest of the vehicles, the men said.
While Lira unlawfully cut through the procession, "If they had stayed in the procession the accident never would have happened," Doss said.
Carrillo agreed but said he feels bad for the Gonzalez family. He also said he found it ironic that, despite the fact the Gonzalez family is now finding fault with Carrillo's, his company handled Adelina Gonzalez's funeral.
Although Arizona Rangers was identified as the escort service in the lawsuit, Doss said it was actually his company that provided the escort that day.
According to Tucson police, the Gonzalezes were headed north on North Main Avenue on a 1979 Harley-Davidson when Lira made a left turn in front of them.
The mother and son were separated from the funeral procession heading to Holy Hope Cemetery and were trying to catch up when the collision occurred between West Second and Third streets, police said. Lira was cited for failing to yield while making a left turn, police said.
The Gonzalez family declined, through their attorney, Walter Nash, a request for an interview Tuesday.
Anaya, 21, was also killed in a motorcycle wreck. He was riding on Ajo Highway near South Kinney Road on April 14, 2005, when Gregory Artz turned in front of him.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com.