Henry CofrancescoA widow is asking for $7 million from a 33-year-old man accused of killing a motorcyclist while driving under the influence in May.
Lisa Benedict's attorneys said Henry Cofrancesco III was driving "negligently and recklessly" when he pulled out of a parking lot, steered his friend's BMW into traffic, and struck Robert Benedict's Ironhorse motorcycle in the 5900 block of Lee Highway on May 21, according to a lawsuit filed earlier this month in Hamilton County Circuit Court.
Robert Benedict, 60, died on scene around 8 p.m., police said.
"Lisa Benedict, and the child of the plaintiffs' decendent, Robert Benedict, are entitled to damages for loss of consortium in the society of their loved one," the lawsuit says.
The suit also requests damages from Amanda Bryant, who owned the BMW, and Images, an LGBTQ nightclub and show bar formerly known as Mirage, where Cofrancesco was allegedly drinking before the crash. Both parties knew how intoxicated Confrancesco was and should have stopped him from driving, the suit says.
Futhermore, the suit says, Images had a duty to "monitor and control" Cofrancesco, who had been served there before.
Circuit Court clerks said Thursday they hadn't received notice that Cofrancesco had been served with the suit, filed Sept. 9. A manager at Images was not available for comment.
At the time of the collision, Cofrancesco was not immediately charged, but investigators said they took blood and chemical tests. Days after the lawsuit was filed, the 33-year-old was indicted Sept. 14 on vehicular homicide, possession of cocaine, failure to yield right of way, leaving the scene of an accident, failure to render aid, and driving under the influence charges, records show.
Vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident are both felonies. Vehicular homicide carries eight to 30 years in prison, while leaving the scene carries one to six years.
Cofrancesco is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Sept. 30 before Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Don Poole. Bryant, records show, was not criminally charged in connection with the crash.
Contact staff writer Zack Peterson at zpeterson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347. Follow on Twitter @zackpeterson918.