Lawsuit Filed Over Fatal 2006 Traffic Accident
An Indianapolis woman who was allegedly intoxicated when she caused a fatal traffic accident nearly two years ago is being sued by her purported victim’s estate.Samera J. Copas, 42, also faces criminal charges over the May 2006 crash that claimed the life of Charles “C.J.” McAlhaney Jr., 23, Lewisville.
Copas is the target of a wrongful death suit recently filed by Robin Chaplin, a representative of McAlhaney’s estate. A trial date has not been set in Henry Circuit Court. Henry County police said Copas, driving a sport-utility vehicle, ran a stop sign at Ind. 103 and Henry County Road 500-S, colliding with McAlhaney’s SUV.
McAlhaney, a former New Castle resident, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Copas, who was also badly injured in the crash, is charged in Henry Superior Court 1 with causing death when driving under the influence of both alcohol and a controlled substance. Each allegation is a Class B felony carrying a standard 10-year prison term.
The Indianapolis woman is also charged with reckless homicide, a Class C felony with a standard four-year sentence.
She was released from the Henry County jail after posting a $60,000 bond.
The criminal case against Copas is on hold while her attorneys appeal a decision by Judge Michael Peyton that rejected a bid to have evidence against their client ruled inadmissible at trial.
Her defense team includes Indianapolis attorney James H. Voyles, whose high-profile clients have included boxer Mike Tyson and former Indiana Pacer Stephen Jackson.