Family of Mokena woman killed in 2009 crash alleges three drivers contributed to her wrongful death

The estate of a Mokena woman who died in 2014 traffic crash has sued three drivers, alleging responsibility for her wrongful death.

Dennis Carpenter, as administrator of the estate of Mary Carpenter, filed suit March 18 in Cook County Circuit Court against Robert Okrasinski, Francis B. Sanders and James P. Kulesa, citing wrongful death.

According to the complaint, on Feb. 3, 2014, Mary Carpenter was driving her 2009 Jeep Wrangler at 8000 S. Archer Road in the village of Justice. Kulesa, operating his 2010 Mercedes, was in the same location and struck the vehicle of Jonath S. Scott, causing Carpenter to be stranded in the roadway. The suit says this obstruction ultimately contributed to Carpenter's death.

At the same time, Sanders, of Hickory Hills, was driving a 2005 Chevy Classic and struck Carpenter's vehicle after it was stopped in the roadway. This caused Carpenter to exit her vehicle to exchange information with Sanders, the suit says. Finally, Okrasinski, of Homer Glen, driving a 2004 Lincoln Aviator in the same area, struck Carpenter as she was returning to her vehicle, causing Carpenter's death, the suit says.

All three defendants, the lawsuit states, were responsible for Carpenter's death.

The plaintiff cites the family's great and substantial pecuniary loss, as well as the loss of Carpenter's "love, affection, care, attention, companionship, comfort, guidance, protection and economic support."

Dennis Carpenter seeks a jury trial and damages of more than $50,000, plus costs, from each defendant, a total of more than $150,000. He is represented by attorney Robert B. Phillips IV, of Robert B. Phillips and Associates, of Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-2774.