By Christine Reid
Camera Staff Writer

The widow of a youth minister killed in a van accident in Idaho last summer is suing to protect herself from being sued.

Der Vang, the widow of Chong Chang Her — who was 26 when he died in the accident that killed four others — filed a suit naming Specialty National Insurance Company two weeks ago in Boulder District Court. Her attorney, Leo Gemma, said the move was to protect Vang from being sued because the Illinois-based insurance company is denying coverage. Also being named as defendants in the case are the 14 others who were injured or killed in the crash.

"Any liability owed by my client's estate, by virtue any liability he owes to anyone, would be covered by insurance," Gemma said.

Her was killed along with Voua Lee, 24, Jonathan Vang, 15, Wesley Her, 15, and Ricky Tubtojsab Moua, 13 — all members of Westminster's Denver Hmong Alliance Church. They were in the van when it veered off an Idaho highway and rolled 2½ times last July en route to a religious retreat. The van was second in a three-vehicle convoy and was in view of the trailing van when it crashed.

Her had rented the 2001 Ford passenger van for the trip and purchased supplemental liability insurance from Front Range Auto Rental and Leasing, 2360 30th St., according to the lawsuit. Specialty National Insurance Company, the ultimate insurer, has denied paying any negligence claims that may be filed by parents of the deceased or injured passengers against Her because an unauthorized driver was at the wheel, according to the lawsuit.

Idaho authorities reported Chuyee Moua, a 17-year-old from Federal Heights, was driving the van and fell asleep, causing the van to drift off the shoulder, cross a culvert and then cross into oncoming traffic, police reported. Moua overcorrected, which caused the van to spin and roll. He was hospitalized after the accident and ultimately cited with inattentive driving, a misdemeanor.

Vang's lawsuit seeks a $1 million judgment, the insurance coverage limit stipulated in the policy.

No lawsuits have been filed against her to date, her attorney reported.

Staff writer Pam Regensberg contributed to this report. Contact Christine Reid at (303) 473-1355 or reidc@thedailycamera.com.

June 4, 2002

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