The family of a man killed in a high-speed crash near the Traffic Circle has filed a claim against the city of Long Beach seeking $25 million in damages.
The March 16 crash sheared a 2017 Maserati Quattroporte in half and killed the passenger in the car, Joseph Testone, a 42-year-old man from Buena Park, according to police.
Long Beach FATAL crash on E Los Coyotes Diagonal by the traffic circle. The Maserati split in half after hitting a tree. 1 adult died on scene a second in critical condition at hospital cause being investigated @KCBSKCALDesk @CBSLA pic.twitter.com/lU5IHYUdpf
— stu mundel (@Stu_Mundel) March 17, 2018
Testone’s family alleges the city is at least partially responsible for his death because it’s responsible for maintaining the streets in the area.
“A dangerous condition of public property controlled, owned and maintained by the city of Long Beach caused or contributed to the automobile collision which caused the wrongful death of Joseph Testone,” according to their claim, which was submitted to the city last month.
A claim for damages is typically a precursor to a lawsuit unless the city decides to pay the money.
The crash happened when the car’s driver lost control as he was turning left from Outer Traffic Circle to eastbound Los Coyotes Diagonal, according to police.
“The vehicle travelled up the curb and into a tree, causing the wrongful death of Joseph Testone,” the family’s claim says.
The driver was ejected from the Maserati but survived, police said. In March, investigators said they thought both speed and alcohol were factors in the crash.
The city attorney’s office declined to provide more information, and the attorney representing Testone’s family did not return a call or an email.