10 April 2024

Blake Corney's mother sues NRMA Insurance, driver who killed her son in fatal crash

| Albert McKnight
manand woman stabding outside court

Andrew Corney and Camille Jago speak about the findings from the inquest into the death of their son Blake Corney in 2021. Photo: Albert McKnight.

The mother of a four-year-old boy tragically killed in a crash several years ago is suing the truck driver involved, as well as NRMA Insurance.

Camille Jago claims she was left with numerous injuries due to the devastating crash on 28 July 2018, court documents filed in the ACT Supreme Court say.

Her family had been driving to Toys’ R’ Us at the Majura Park Shopping Centre and had stopped at an intersection on the Monaro Highway when Akis Emmanouel Livas crashed his truck into the back of their car at 70 km/h.

Her son, Blake Corney, was killed, while his parents and brother survived.

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Livas, who had a possible diagnosis of sleep apnea from as far back as 2013, pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable driving causing death and in 2020 was jailed for at least two years and three months.

Last year, Ms Jago began the process of suing him and his insurer due to the former’s alleged negligent use of a motor vehicle.

She provided an extensive list of injuries she claims she suffered due to his actions, with physical injuries including those to her neck, shoulder and jaw, while psychological or emotional injuries include anxiety and grief.

Blake Corney was “a beautiful, lively and intelligent little four-year-old boy with the world at his feet” until his life was tragically cut short in a car crash. Photo: Supplied

She has allegedly incurred about $35,000-worth of out-of-pocket expenses when obtaining treatment for her injuries.

Ms Jago also claims she suffered economic loss as she had to take nearly a year of leave after the crash due to her injuries, then reduced her hours after she returned to work.

She is claiming damages, interest and costs against both defendants.

According to the court documents, NRMA Insurance admitted that Livas, who is in his 60s, had breached the duty of care he owed to Ms Jago.

When contacted, an NRMA spokesperson said they were unable to comment at this stage of the proceedings.

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The case is currently listed for a hearing in the Supreme Court from 15 July.

A coronial inquest was held into Blake’s death in 2021, which ultimately recommended the government expedite safer driving technologies.

“There is a hole in our family that cannot be filled,” Ms Jago said when the inquest began earlier that year.

“I miss Blake every day.”

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