Driver’s family files suit against city

Monday, Oct. 2, 2000 | 8:59 a.m.

The Washoe District Court lawsuit, filed last week by the family of David Cermak, claims the city was aware of unsafe conditions created by its application of fog sealant on East McCarran Boulevard in Reno.

The slick road conditions caused Cermak to lose control of his oil tanker-trailer, the lawsuit claims.

Cermak, 55, died when he tried to swerve his truck away from a traffic accident scene on the busy street. His truck overturned and 9,200 gallons of gasoline burned.

The lawsuit also is seeking damages from Kustom Koatings Inc. of Reno, which applied the coating, and from corporations that manufactured and distributed the sealant.

Spokesmen for the city and Kustom Koatings said they had not seen the lawsuit and declined comment.

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