ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The mother of a local teen who was killed in a hit-and-run said she’s trying to hold everyone involved accountable.
Although he was never criminally charged, Jo-Lee Manning’s newly filed lawsuit names the hit-and-run driver’s boyfriend.
Deputies said Tiffany Higginbotham was driving that man's truck when she struck and killed Haley Smith, 15, in November 2013.
On Wednesday, Manning visited the spot on Kenton Morrison Road in St. Augustine where her daughter’s life ended four years ago Friday.
On Friday, it’ll be 4 years since 15-year-old Haley Smith was hit & killed walking along the side of the road. The driver left her to die, & is now serving a 17-year sentence. Why Haley’s mom is now SUING that driver on @ActionNewsJax at 5. pic.twitter.com/cj1UaOm3TJ
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) November 15, 2017
“We miss her,” Manning said with tears in her eyes. “I didn’t give up. I kept on going until I got the answers.”
Higginbotham was charged in February and is serving a 17-year sentence.
The lawsuit filed by Manning’s attorney holds Higginbotham, her boyfriend, who owned the truck, and his construction company liable.
Action News Jax is not releasing the man's information since he was never charged with a crime.
“It’s not about the money,” Manning said. “It’s about getting answers, and educating and showing the public you can’t do this and just walk away.”
On Wednesday, Action News Jax couldn’t reach the man named in the lawsuit at his listed address or by phone.
“I question if he knew about the truck being involved,” Manning said. “He had to be living under a rock to not know that the police were looking for a truck matching his.”
Jo-Lee Manning visits the memorial near where her 15-year-old daughter’s life ended. Manning is suing the driver, who is currently serving a 17-year sentence for hitting Haley Smith & leaving her to die. The man she is also trying to hold accountable ONLY on @ActionNewsJax at 6. pic.twitter.com/tZT1SdmBT0
— Russell Colburn (@RussellANjax) November 15, 2017
According to Action News Jax Law and Safety Expert Dale Carson, that could be decided in civil court.
But in the meantime, Manning will continue to visit her daughter every chance she gets.
“It’s very hard, because you look at Haley, who had such a promising life ahead of her, and for it to be taken away by someone who just didn’t care, that’s the big part that hurts,” Manning said.
Manning plans to use any money awarded in court to start a nonprofit in her daughter’s honor.
She said the goal will be to educate people on the dangers of impaired driving and to let other victims know they aren’t alone.
Manning said that’s what Haley would want.
Cox Media Group
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