Judge to rule in dumbwaiter death case
A 10th circuit judge told the parties in a damages hearing today that he will decide the amount in a case in which a Keowee Key woman was asphyxiated when entrapped by a newly-installed dumbwaiter in her home. This morning’s proceeding, presided at by Judge McIntosh, was a default damages hearing in a case brought on behalf of the late Mary Susan Crerar. At 80 years old, Crerar was killed June 27, 2020, according to court pleadings, when the dumbwaiter crushed her neck. The plaintiffs’ side this morning offered one witness, Sara Crerar, daughter of the deceased. The daughter testified that her mother apparently got into the dumbwaiter to measure the bottom for placing shelf paper and, as she put it, must have “slipped somehow and pushed the call button.” One of four exhibits offered for the judge’s consideration: a photograph of a taped over safety switch identified by the daughter. From the defense side, Judge McIntosh heard from one witness, Richard J. Hungiville. Identified as an electrician, Hungiville said he did not install the dumbwaiter, that it was installed “by somebody else.” The plaintiff’s side seeks $6 million damages – $2 million actual; 4 million punitive.