The father of a 44-year-old motorcyclist who died as a result of a crash Friday filed a $7 million lawsuit on Monday against the driver of the car that struck him.
Daniel Blackburn was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center after he collided with a Cadillac Escalade driven by Henry McGee on North Gallatin Pike Friday. Blackburn, of Goodlettsville, died from his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.
McGee, 66, of Madison, was driving the SUV, according to Metro police, who said the preliminary contributing factor of the crash appeared to be McGee’s failure to yield.
Blackburn’s father, Charles Blackburn, is asking the court for at least $5 million in compensatory damages and $2 million in punitive damages.
The lawsuit, filed by attorney Jon Peeler, claims several traffic violations by McGee led to Daniel Blackburn’s death. Peeler said Charles Blackburn was as “distraught as he could be” over losing his son.
No charges have been filed against McGee, but the MNPD investigation of the crash is ongoing.
According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, motorcycle deaths in Tennessee have risen by 31 percent this year compared to last year.