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Bearden family sues city, police officer

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The family of a woman who was killed in a car accident involving a Louisville Metro Police officer has filed suit.

Police say that, in May 2010, the car driven by 22-year-old Sarah Bearden and the vehicle driven by off-duty police officer James Adams collided in the intersection of Hurstbourne Pkwy. and Headley Hill.

Records show Bearden had been drinking, but the family claims Adams' reckless driving is the real cause of her death.

"There is evidence that Sarah Bearden had been drinking," family attorney Char Gardner told Fox 41 back in July. "But alcohol did not kill Sarah Bearden. Speed killed Sarah Bearden."

A Louisville Metro Police investigation has revealed that Adams was speeding at 80 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. zone.

The report also found Bearden's blood alcohol was at .131.

On Thursday morning, the parents of Bearden filed a suit in Jefferson Circuit Court against Adams and the city of Louisville, asking the court to grant them a financial reward that would compensate them for the loss of their daughter.

"The Defendant Adams was negligent in the operation of the vehicle he was driving, and he negligently failed to follow Louisville Metro Police Department policies and the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky regarding the operation of that vehicle," the suit states. "The negligence of the Defendant James S. Adams caused and brought about the injuries to and death of Sarah Bearden."