Civil lawsuit scheduled for facilitation hearing on September 23

Media contact: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications, 248.260.8466; barbara@eafocus.com

Southfield, Mich. — September 12, 2022 — David M. Moss, senior partner and personal injury attorney with Southfield-based Moss & Colella, P.C., announced that the civil case by the family of Ben Jones is moving forward following today’s guilty plea by defendant driver Wendy Bass. The plea was heard by Chief Judge Jeffery Matis. The civil lawsuit is scheduled for a facilitation hearing on September 23, 2022.

Ben Jones was tragically killed by Bass when she slammed into the rear end of his vehicle, resulting in his untimely and tragic death on August 19, 2020. Bass was driving more than three times over the legal alcohol limit. Moss, the family’s civil attorney, who filed the multi-million-dollar civil case against Bass in September 2021, was pleased to hear Bass plead guilty to two separate felonies: Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence (OWI) causing death and reckless driving causing death.

Ben Jones was a beloved son, brother, coach and friend. Though the guilty plea will not bring Ben back, this is a significant step in the justice process – and the sentencing and plea agreement are at the top of the criminal guidelines,” Moss said.

Bass’ plea agreement included a minimum sentence of 10 years with a maximum sentence of 15 years; she will be sentenced on October 27, 2022, and was ordered to surrender her passport.

At the time of his death, Jones was the new varsity football head coach at Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills and a financial planner and portfolio manager with Schwartz & Company Investment Advisors, also located in Bloomfield Hills; he had worked with the firm since 2014.  

Since Jones’ passing, his family and friends have established the Get To Foundation in his honor. The Get To Foundation continues Jones’ legacy of inspiring others to consider obligations and obstacles as opportunities. By providing resources to communities, teams and individuals, the foundation encourages others to shift their perspective from “Have To” to “Get To.”

About Moss & Colella
Celebrating 25 years in 2022, Moss & Colella represents the victims of personal injury, civil rights violations, discrimination, medical malpractice and wrongful death.  The firm is recognized as a leader in complex tort litigation, including excess and deadly force, jail death, sexual abuse and harassment, auto and truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and other severe injury and wrongful death claims. To learn more about the firm and its diverse areas of practice, visit www.mosscolella.com.

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