Marysville families file $70 million claim against Snohomish County

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The families of high school students who were injured in a car accident last October filed a claim against the Snohomish County Council for $70 million, alleging the county negligently maintained the road and the intersection where the accident occurred.

According to the claimants’ version of the facts, on Oct. 24, Juan Mendoza, a senior at Marysville Gretchell High School, was driving a Honda Civic westbound along 108^th St. NE a few blocks west of Highway 9 in Marysville. At some point, Mendoza lost control of the vehicle, drove down an embankment, and collided with several trees. Mendoza died from head injuries at the scene.

Two other young men were in the vehicle at the time of the accident, Lars Kundu and Andy Vavrousek.

Kundu and Vavrousek were taken to Harborview Medical Center with serious injuries.

At this point, a lawsuit has not been filed against Snohomish County. Under Washington law, before parties can sue a municipality, they must notify the local governmental agency of their claims and then wait 60 days before filing a civil suit. This allows government entities time to investigate, evaluate and settle claims.

At the heart of the claimants’ case is the county’s alleged failure to construct and maintain the intersection where the accident occurred.

In addition, the claimants argue a new housing development that is being built nearby will make the road worse. They have accused the council of allowing the project developer to decide how he wants to make improvements to the road, without input from the public.

On Friday, Beth Vavrousek, Andy’s mother, and her attorney, Jim Dore, spoke to the media during a press conference.

According to Dore, the Vavrousek family has tried to work with the county for several years.

“Ms. Vavrousek has been writing and been involved trying to make this intersection safe for eight years,” said Dore. “Her kids and her family have been involved in this. This is not unknown. And the county has known about, it and they have ignored it.”

A spokesman for the Snohomish County Prosecutors Office said it’s not true, adding that the public has been allowed input on every step of the way.

If the county and the families don’t reach an agreement, the next step may be the courtroom.