Hingham — Two months after the fatal Apple Store crash in Hingham, more victims are filing lawsuits. Heather Eaton said her life has been a daily struggle since her injury.
The 22-year-old from Marshfield worked three jobs, attended school and dreamed of opening her own business. But now she faces an uncertain future, she said.
Grateful to be alive, Heather told WBZ-TV’s I-Team that she didn’t remember much about the crash.
Last November, Heather and her best friend Soni Baker were at the store when a speeding SUV crashed through the glass windshield.
“I thought I was dying so I was telling myself to stay with me. Then I saw my friend Soni. She was bleeding from her mouth and she was unconscious too. I thought I was dead,” Eaton told WBZ.
Both Soni and Heather were seriously injured One person died and dozens were injured in the tragedy.
Heather said she broke her neck and has multiple fractures across her back. She had her knee reconstructed and her doctors told her she might need surgery on her back.Heather also has a brain injury that makes communication difficult, she said. I was.
As for Soni, she has had foot surgery and has also suffered a brain injury.
“These are lifelong injuries that we have to deal with,” Soni told the I-Team.
Heather said all of this took a toll on them mentally and physically.
The two, along with several others represented by attorney Doug Sheff, are now suing the SUV driver Apple and the strip mall owner for negligence.
“It was 100% preventable,” says Sheff.
The lawsuit alleges that Apple and the property owner should have installed a protective bollard in front of the store. The barrier was installed days after the crash.
The chef said they should have been there all along.
“If you look around the county or Massachusetts, you see storefronts being protected from this sort of thing. It wasn’t done here. They didn’t pay attention,” he told WBZ. .
After years of treatment, Heather believes she may need more surgery. It’s a far cry from her active life and daily gym routine. That’s it,’ he said.
SUV driver Bradley Laing has been charged with reckless motor vehicle murder and reckless operation of a motor vehicle. He pleaded not guilty and said it was an accident. He is currently out on bail.
The I-Team reached out to Rein, Apple and the property owner for comment, but did not receive a response.
Cheryl Fiandaka
