Parents file wrongful death lawsuit against Mercy Health after 18-year-old dies following ambulance crash

A wrongful death lawsuit against Mercy Health in Howell County Circuit Court was filed by Victoria Bueker and Roger Rector, the parents of 18-year-old Dakota Rector.

The lawsuit stems from a fatal incident where Dakota Rector passed away following an ambulance crash.

The legal petition brings forth several severe claims of emergency response failure and medical negligence:

• Signs of Life Ignored: The lawsuit alleges that emergency personnel placed a sheet over Dakota before his condition was properly assessed. According to a coroner's report cited by the family's attorney, Dakota was still breathing when the sheet was pulled back.

• Delayed Emergency Care: The parents are seeking damages for what they argue was a loss of Dakota's chance of survival, increased suffering, and an acceleration of his death caused by inadequate care at the scene.

• Defendants Named: The suit targets individual emergency responders EMT/driver Dustin Reynolds, and paramedic/EMT Allen Buckner for negligence and failure to render aid.

  It also holds Mercy Health allegedly liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior (holding an employer responsible for the actions of employees).

Latest Legal Status

Defense attorneys for the individuals filed a motion in Howell County Circuit Court to dismiss parts of the lawsuit.

They argue that under Missouri state law, any claims surrounding the rendering—or failure to render—healthcare services must strictly be filed under the state's statutory medical malpractice laws rather than common law negligence.

NewsTalk KZRG has reached out to Mercy Health to allow the health system to comment on the case and is awaiting their reply.