Hornets guard LaMelo Ball’s apparently reckless driving has been caught on video numerous times by fans as he leaves the arena, appearing to be often quickly speeding and running a red light near the facility.
Now Ball has landed in some legal trouble related to his driving. Tamaria McRae and her son Angell Joseph are suing Ball in Mecklenburg County, N.C., court for driving in a “grossly negligent and reckless manner.” According to the suit, Ball looked directly at Joseph, who along with other young fans had approached the player’s car for an autograph while he was stopped at a traffic light, before hitting and “severely injuring” him. McRae told the local ABC affiliate that Ball broke her son’s foot and drove away. McRae’s attorney said Joseph also sustained a back injury.
The alleged incident happened Oct. 7 following an annual preseason fan event, Purple and Teal Day at the Hive. The suit also names the Hornets as defendants, claiming the team failed to manage crowds and keep fans safe near the arena’s employee exit.
The suit says Joseph, who was 11 years old at the time but has since turned 12, “idolized” Ball. “It is reasonably foreseeable that being struck by a car driven by his hero would cause [Joseph] to suffer severe emotional distress,” reads the suit.
McRae and Joseph are each seeking at least $25,000 in damages from both the player and the team.
The Hornets declined to comment.
