VALPARAISO | An Ohio truck driver, already facing criminal charges for a fatal crash along Ind. 49, has been named in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Surviving family members of accident victim Earl Eaton filed the civil lawsuit Monday against driver Sampson Boadi, and trucking firms Q.S. of Illinois, Quality Services and Hub Group.

The suit accuses the trucking companies of negligence for hiring and retaining Eaton, who had prior violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, according to attorney Kenneth J. Allen.

The offenses include logbook violations, he said.

"That kind of person should not be on the road, at least as a professional driver," Allen said.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of money.

Boadi, 41, of Columbus, made an initial court appearance last month and pleaded not guilty to felony counts of reckless homicide and criminal recklessness, and misdemeanor charges of criminal recklessness and reckless driving.

He is accused of running a red light Oct. 8 at County Road 400 North (Vale Park Road) while driving north on Ind. 49 and striking a car driven west by Eaton, 91, of Liberty Township.

Eaton died as a result of chest injuries, according to emergency officials.

If found guilty, Boadi faces between two and eight years behind bars on the reckless homicide charge and up to three years on the criminal recklessness count.