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Tribune Named In Lawsuit Over Motorcycle Death

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

TAMPA - The Tampa Tribune and the security company it uses, Wackenhut, have been named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed Monday in civil court.

Jesus Ramos Jr. died Sept. 20, 2006, after his motorcycle crashed into a Wackenhut truck driven by security guard John M. Lane, according to the complaint. Media General, the Tribune's parent company; Lane, who was assigned at the Tribune; and a second motorcyclist, Alex Vega, are also named in the lawsuit.

After Lane exited from the Selmon Crosstown Expressway he "stopped cold in the middle of the road" as Ramos and Vega raced on 78th Street, said Ralph Fernandez, attorney for the Ramos family.

It is unclear why Lane stopped, Fernandez said. The attorney said Ramos "placed himself in jeopardy by speeding" but that Lane should not have stopped the truck.

Lane "had a duty to ensure that the vehicle driven by him was operated in a safe and proper manner," the complaint said.

Lane declined to comment about the incident today but did say he is no longer a Wackenhut employee.

Tribune publisher Denise Palmer declined to comment until the newspaper's attorneys review the lawsuit. Officials with Wackenhut could not be reached today.

Ramos was 21 when he died and had just moved to Tampa from Cuba with his father, Jesus Ramos Sr., Fernandez said.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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