The family of 17-year-old Mai Grace Tankersley is mourning the loss of their daughter, describing her as “incredibly kind and loving” with aspirations of becoming a high school history teacher. Tragically, Mai lost her life in a rollover crash involving her Jeep Wrangler on a narrow stretch of road in Beaverton, Oregon, on 25 July 2024.
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In light of this devastating event, her father, David Tankersley, has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit claiming negligence and seeking damages of $39 million. The case has been filed in the Multnomah County Circuit Court and names multiple defendants including the City of Beaverton, Washington County, and the Oregon Department of Transportation, as well as Stellantis N.V., the parent company of Jeep.
According to the lawsuit, Mai was driving home after a shift at her local coffee shop when she encountered a curve on Southwest Tile Flat Road. As she navigated the bend, her Jeep veered off onto a gravel shoulder before swiftly returning to the road and crashing into a large tree, subsequently rolling over. Despite the immediate response from first responders, Mai was pronounced dead at the scene, as confirmed by the Beaverton Police Department.
The complaint raised by her father highlights concerns about the condition of the road where the incident occurred. It alleges that the section of road may be three feet narrower than the standards set by the state of Oregon. It is also claimed that critical safety features in the Jeep, designed to mitigate fatalities during rollovers, failed to operate effectively during the crash.
Eyewitnesses have described the roadway as perilous, with one community member labelling it a “death trap” following Mai’s tragic accident. Residents of Beaverton have previously voiced concerns about the road’s safety, urging city officials to take action, especially in light of statistics reporting 36 accidents resulting in injuries from 2008 to 2022 on that same road.
David Tankersley’s lawsuit cites community petitions that called for road widening due to anticipated increased traffic that would exacerbate the dangers of the road. Local resident Ron Anderson, who witnessed the crash, expressed his frustrations in a letter to the city, arguing against further development in the area and calling attention to the number of accidents that have occurred there.
The Oregon Department of Transportation and the City of Beaverton have refrained from commenting on the lawsuit due to its pending status, while Washington County has not responded to requests for information. Stellantis N.V. declined to comment as well.
Mai’s family has shared with local media that she was an enthusiastic and talented individual, fulfilling her dreams with enthusiasm, particularly her new job at the coffee shop, which she regarded as a “dream job.” Described by her family as immensely loving, they fondly recalled her willingness to support others, noting she would always be the first to offer a comforting hug.
Samantha Stanfill, an attorney representing the Tankersley estate, noted that Mai’s excitement about her new job reflected her vibrant spirit. The community’s grief has been palpable, with many expressing their sorrow and calling for justice in the wake of this tragic loss.
As the legal proceedings unfold, David Tankersley hopes that the lawsuit will not only seek reparation for his family’s loss but will also bring to light the pressing safety issues on the road that ultimately claimed his daughter’s life. The Tankersley family and the community continue to advocate for safer road conditions to prevent such tragedies in the future.