Lawsuit filed against the city of Chattanooga for Frazier Ave. deaths
Frazier Avenue
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A Florida man has filed a lawsuit against the City of Chattanooga following the fatal crash on Frazier Avenue that claimed the lives of his wife and young son.
The lawsuit argues, “The work performed by Defendant City to make this area safer for pedestrians came too late for Octavio Paz, his wife, and young child.”
According to court documents, in April 2016, the city commissioned a 500-page traffic analysis conducted by Alta Planning & Design.
The analysis highlighted the high volume of traffic on Frazier Avenue and recommended reducing the number of travel lanes and street parking to improve pedestrian safety.
The lawsuit claims the city’s failure to act on these recommendations makes it liable under the Governmental Tort Liability Act (GTLA).
On November 25, 2023, the Jacksonville Florida couple and their one year old son were walking along Frazier Avenue when they were struck by a vehicle driven by Randy Vega.
Vega’s car was then rear-ended by another vehicle, worsening the collision.
Ana and the couple’s child were killed on impact.
Paz sustained severe injuries in the crash and has since undergone more than 27 surgeries, incurring medical expenses exceeding $1.5 million.
According to the lawsuit, Paz remains unable to walk.
