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GoogleLester J. Wilson, of Loveland, filed the suit Thursday, alleging Trooper Christopher M. Clair used excessive force or was grossly negligent in the Jan. 28, 2002, incident that claimed the life of 25-year-old Ian Z. Wilson.
Lester Wilson, citing mental pain and anguish suffered by his son, as well as funeral and burial expenses and the loss of his son's companionship, is seeking damages "in excess of $25,000" and other relief as the court deems appropriate.
The account of the incident as presented in Lester Wilson's filing differs significantly from the version offered by the Highway Patrol.
According to the filing, Clair and fellow trooper Thomas H. Ehler had positioned their patrol cars in front of and behind Ian Wilson's car. As Ehler approached the driver's side door in Lester Wilson's version, Ian Wilson reversed his car, striking Ehler's unoccupied cruiser. He was then shot twice in the chest by Clair, the elder Wilson states.
In the patrol's media release issued following the incident, Ehler was behind Wilson's car when he reversed and accelerated, striking the unoccupied cruiser. Wilson then accelerated forward toward Clair and was shot.
According to the Highway Patrol's report, the incident began when a female motorist stopped at a gas station in Higginsville. She was reportedly approached by a male subject, later identified as Ian Wilson. After a brief conversation with the man, the woman left the gas station, heading east on Interstate 70.
When the woman noticed Wilson following her, she stopped her vehicle at Stuckey's convenience store located in extreme eastern Saline County at the junction of Route J and I-70. The manager there called authorities and provided them with the license plate number of Wilson's vehicle. The vehicle was determined to be stolen from Salina, Kan.
Contact Chris Post at