Trial in Idaho Driver’s Ed Wrongful Death Lawsuit to Start

A jury trial in a wrongful death lawsuit against the Blaine County School District filed by the parents of a 15-year-old boy killed in a two-car crash during driver’s education class is scheduled to start Tuesday.

The Idaho Mountain Express reports that Dennis and Maryann Hennefer contend the school district and driving instructor Jeffrey A. Mecham were negligent in having Austin Hennefer make a turn on U.S. Highway 20.

The driver education vehicle Austin Hennefer was driving was struck by another vehicle on Oct. 26, 2010, in central Idaho.

The lawsuit also names the driver of the other vehicle, Sergio Lopez-Rodriguez of Gooding, contending he was driving too fast for conditions.

The Hennefers are seeking unspecified damages greater than $10,000.