By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Staff Writer

CHELSEA – The family of an elderly couple killed in a May 12 car crash in Chelsea has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Sunbelt Golf Corporation and Bessemer resident Donald A. Hardin.

The accident resulted in the fatalities of John Vernon Alexander, 81, and his wife, Carolyn Jane Alexander, 74, after Hardin’s 2010 Ford F-250 allegedly struck their 2007 Toyota Corolla.

John Alexander was pronounced dead on the scene, and Carolyn Alexander was transported to UAB Hospital where she passed away from her injuries shortly after.

Carolyn F. Motamed, who is the daughter of John and Carolyn Alexander, filed the lawsuit as the personal representative of their estate.

The complaint states that the vehicle being operated by Hardin was owned by Sunbelt Golf Corporation and at the time of the collision he was an employee of the corporation and was “working within the line and scope of his employment.”

Sunbelt Golf Corporation is a golf course management service that is most notably known for operating the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

According to the complaint, Motamed is claiming three counts of negligence in the case.

The first of these counts is negligence of defendants Sunbelt Golf Corporation and Donald A. Hardin, stating in the complaint that Hardin was distracted, ran a red light, was driving too fast for roadway conditions, failed to keep a proper lookout and failed to yield the right-of-way to the victims.

The complaint claims Hardin was working with Sunbelt Golf Corporation at the time of the collision, which Motamed claims makes them liable for Hardin’s actions.

The complaint also claims Sunbelt hired Hardin without performing a proper background check of his driving or criminal history.

The third count accuses Sunblet Golf Corporation of negligently training and supervising Hardin during his employment.

Motamed also stated in the complaint that she and her sister, Leveron Alexander, have suffered mental anguish and emotional distress, and will suffer from future mental anguish and emotional distress.

The suit calls for a jury trial and a judgment against both defendants for compensatory and punitive damages.

Wilson Dinsmore and Spencer T. Bachus, will represent Motamed in the case that is filed with the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Bessemer Division.