Family seeks damages for mom’s death

ROCKLAND – The family of a Cushing woman who died in a March car accident is suing her husband, who allegedly was driving drunk, for wrongful death.

Carl D. Adams, 43, of Cushing is awaiting trial on charges of manslaughter and criminal operating under the influence in connection with the March 4 car accident that killed his wife, Brenda Adams, 55. The accident occurred on Route 97 in Cushing.

Adams’ daughters, Ramona Weink of Wind Lake, Wyo., and Roxanne Gabelbauer of Wauwatosa, Wis., are seeking unspecified damages for wrongful death and punitive damages for conscious pain and suffering and common law negligence.

The lawsuit, filed by Thomaston attorney James Strong, also aims to prevent Carl Adams from benefiting from their mother’s estate.

Strong could not be reached Wednesday for comment.

On the night of the crash, Carl Adams, his wife and a son, Michael Adams, then 17, were on Route 97 when the vehicle careened out of control on a curve and hit a parked vehicle on the side of the road. Brenda Adams was killed, her husband was airlifted to a Bangor hospital, and Michael Adams was treated at a local hospital and released.

Law enforcement authorities indicated speed and alcohol were factors.

The lawsuit filed by Brenda Adams’ daughters alleges her death was caused solely by the negligence of her husband without any contributing or comparative fault of their mother or her heirs and beneficiaries.

The complaints claim the plaintiffs have been deprived of the companionship of their mother and have suffered emotional distress.

Another count argues Carl Adams should not benefit from his wife’s estate since it would violate Maine’s public policy that a wrongdoer causing the death of another not be allowed to profit from his wrong or negligence or to profit from his crime.

Carl Adams’ attorney, J. William Druary Jr. of Waterville, has responded to the complaint, denying the allegations and asking the matter be dismissed. Druary could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

According to the lawsuit, Brenda Adams is survived by her husband and adult sons and daughters, Russell D. Eaton of Menomonee Falls, Wis., Ernest E. Eaton II of Wahiawa, Hawaii, and Ramona Weink and Roxanne Gabelbauer. However, the daughters are the only plaintiffs named in the suit. The women are the personal representatives of Adams’ estate by letter of authority from Knox County Probate Court, according to the complaint.