Family sues over fatal motorcycle accident

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) The family of a couple who died in a motorcycle crash on the Fourth of July is suing the driver who hit their parents.

James and Mary Catherine Hendrickson were riding on Ardmore when a car slammed into them head on.

According to police, Charniece Arnold was in a white vehicle was heading south on Ardmore when she crossed the center line and hit the motorcycle head-on. The motorcycle then went into a ditch and caught on fire.

The Hendricksons were both unconscious and unresponsive when medics arrived. James, the driver of the motorcycle, was pronounced dead at the scene. Medics took Mary Catherine to the hospital in critical condition. She later died.

The Hendricksons are survived by daughter Heather R. Hendrickson and son Jason M. Banghart.

The wrongful death suit claims that Arnold was "negligent and/or reckless" in her "duty to use reasonable care in the inspection, maintenance, repair, and operation of the Kia she was operating."

The suit asks for all incurred medical, hospital, funeral , burial, administrative, and attorney fees related to the accident and deaths of the Hendricksons as well as "any and all other relief that the Court and Jury may deem proper under the circumstances."