Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Driver Charged With Killing Man On Riding Lawnmower

A man jailed on reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence charges in connection with an August crash that claimed the life of a man cutting grass outside Manhattan was slapped with a wrongful death lawsuit.

Thomas Knepper, 68, was on a riding lawnmower in a Route 52 ditch when he was hit and killed by drunken driver Zevez Murrell, according to the lawsuit filed in Will County court.

Murrell, 32, of Kankakee was arrested and remains in the Will County jail awaiting the disposition of his criminal case. Knepper “sustained severe and permanent injuries resulting in his death” the same day he was hit by the car, the suit said.

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed on Knepper’s behalf by Bonnie Gresser. A Russell Publications obituary identifies Gresser as Knepper’s “ beloved confidant and friend.”

The obituary also said Knepper was a veteran of the Vietnam War.

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