Estate sues driver, Lorain County Sheriff’s Office

The estate of a woman killed in a motorcycle crash has filed a lawsuit in Lorain County Court of Common Pleas.

The estate of a woman killed in a 2016 motorcycle crash has filed a lawsuit in Lorain County Court of Common Pleas.

According to a 2016 release from the Elyria Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, on Aug. 20, 2016, Sara N. Bevelacqua, 21, of Cleveland was in the passenger seat of a 2001 Kawasaki Motorcycle driven by Justin D. Tancak, now 21, of Cleveland.

At 2:35 a.m. Tancak drove the motorcycle north on Route 57 south of Route 10 in Eaton Township. The motorcycle left the road on the east side, overturned and ejected both passengers.

Eaton Township Fire and Rescue transported Tancak to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries. Belvelacqua died of her injuries at the scene.

Alcohol was suspected as a factor in the crash, the release said.

According to the filing, the motorcycle was observed by Deputy Adam Shaw driving westbound on Route 82 in Columbia Township. Shaw believed the motorcycle driven by Tancak was speeding and allegedly clocked in at 70 mph in a 45 mph zone. After Shaw activated his emergency lights, Tancak failed to pull over, leading authorities on a high speed chase before crashing.

The Estate of Sara N. Bevelacqua, represented by John Bevelacqua, is suing the Tancak, the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Shaw, two unidentified employees of the Sheriff’s Office identified as “John Doe 1” and John Doe 2, and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.

Tancak is being sued for an amount in excess of $25,000 for negligence, infliction of emotional distress and wrongful death.

State Farm is being sued for an amount in excess of $25,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

The Sheriff’s Office, Shaw and John Doe 1 and 2 are being sued for gross neglect, infliction of emotional distress and wrongful death for damages an amount in excess of $25,000 on each count damages.

Officials from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The claimants are also seeking compensation and punitive damage in excess of $25,000 for negligent hiring and retention.

Tancak was indicted on Nov. 23, 2016, for felony counts of aggravated vehicular homicide, failure to comply with an order or signal of police officer and obstructing official business and single misdemeanor counts of OVI, and willful or wanton disregard of safety on highways.

He pleaded guilty to charges on Aug. 10 and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 21 by Common Pleas Judge James Miraldi, according to court records.

Tancak is being held in the Lorain County Jail.

Tancak