S.C. mother sues after 10-year-old boy dies in drainpipe
Associated Press

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. - The mother of a 10-year-old boy who was sucked into a drainpipe and drowned during a torrential rainstorm sued the city and a state agency claiming negligence.

Kiante Ramone Johnson died Aug. 27, 2005, was trying to recover an umbrella when he fell into a swollen ditch near his home. Other children watched helplessly and an adult tried to rescue Johnson but could not, according to the suit.

The suit claims the drainage area had eroded, forming a ravine where water swept along with increasing speed into the uncovered drain. The lawsuit, brought by Jawanda Nicole Simpson, seeks unspecified damages.

The lawsuit names several defendants including the city of North Charleston and the state Transportation Department.

The city's attorney, Brady Hair said, "We feel for this family, but this particular drainage ditch is not the city of North Charleston's property. It's a state-owned road and right of way."

Transportation Department spokesman Stan Shealy said the department would not comment on a pending lawsuit.

After the incident, the state agency repaired the drain, said Julie Elmore, an assistant to North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey.