Claim filed against Highland in death of boy

A Highland woman whose 14-year-old son was struck by a sheriff's patrol car last month while riding his bike has filed a claim against the city, said her attorney.

The claim, filed Sept. 12, alleges that the San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy was driving at 60 mph without his emergency lights or siren when he hit Justin Taylor Ames on Aug. 22 at Ninth Street and Drummond Avenue.

A claim must be submitted and acted on by the city before a lawsuit can be filed.

Stacey McCombs, Justin's mother, states in the claim that the unnamed deputy was westbound on Ninth Street, with Justin riding south on Drummond Avenue, when the accident occurred at 6:30 p.m. The claim states the setting sun was in the deputy's eyes.

It also states that Justin momentarily stopped at a stop sign, then entered the intersection. The right front of the patrol car hit the boy, throwing him onto the road.

Justin suffered head injuries. He was removed from life support and died Aug. 27.

"We're in a tough position because we can't investigate the incident privately because all of the evidence is in the hands of the sheriff's department," said McCombs' attorney, Mark Raymond McDonald.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said the department still is investigating and will submit a report in two weeks for review by the district attorney's office.

Highland's City Attorney Craig Steele could not be reached for comment Friday.

Reach Julie Farren at 909-806-3066 or jfarren@PE.com