13-Year-Old Girl Hurt In Deadly Pembroke Crash Sues Driver, Company

click to expand

PEMBROKE (CBS) – A young girl critically injured in a crash that killed her friend in Pembroke last month is now suing the driver that hit them and his former company.

Kendall Zemotel, 13, was one of three people in an SUV that was hit by a Hi-Way Safety Systems pickup truck on Route 139 December 29. Her friend, 13-year-old Claire Zisserson, was killed. Zisserson's mother was also hurt. The pickup driver, 31-year-old Gregory Goodsell of Marshfield, faces multiple charges including manslaughter, drunk driving, and speeding.

Claire Zisserson and Kendall Zemotel. (Family Photos)

Police said he ran a red light before the collision and later told them he had been drinking and using cocaine at a company holiday party.

Hi-Way Safety Systems fired Goodsell after the crash. He's being held without bail.

Gregory Goodsell in Plymouth District Court, Dec. 30, 2019. (WBZ-TV)

Zemotel's father filed the lawsuit Monday in Plymouth Superior Court on behalf of his daughter.

"Our focus continues to be on the health of our daughter Kendall who has been ﬁghting for her life since the tragic events of December 29, 2019," the Zemotel family said in a statement. "Our family appreciates the enormous outpouring of love and support throughout these diﬃcult weeks. We ask for privacy and respect as we do our best to navigate this unexpected and life changing journey."

Hi-Way Safety Systems had no comment for WBZ-TV when asked about the lawsuit Wednesday. There has been no comment yet from Goodsell or his attorney.