Charlotte families seek justice in $50+ million wrongful death suit

Tragedy Strikes the SouthPark Area

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The families of two men who tragically lost their lives in a massive construction fire in Charlotte’s SouthPark area in 2023 have filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking more than $50 million in damages. The victims, 30-year-old Demonte Tyree Sherrill and 50-year-old Reuben Holmes, perished on May 18 after a fire engulfed the Modera SouthPark apartment complex, which was still under construction at the time.

Seeking Accountability and Justice

The wrongful death suit alleges that the construction companies and contractors involved, including Mill Creek Residential Trust entities and Kentucky Overhead Door, Inc. d/b/a Baker Insulation, showed a “disregard for, and indifference to, the rights and safety of others, and the lack of an effective emergency action plan.” The lawsuit accuses the defendants of violating numerous federal, state, and local fire and safety regulations, which ultimately led to the tragic deaths of Sherrill and Holmes.

Attorneys Forrest B Johnson and Faith Fox, representing the families and estates of the victims, emphasized the preventable nature of the fire and commended WBTV’s investigative reporting and the swift response of the Charlotte Fire Department. The lawsuit aims to hold the defendants accountable for their alleged negligence and calls for stricter compliance with safety regulations in the construction industry to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Uncovering Failures and Delays

The lawsuit and investigative reporting revealed several alarming findings, including delays in the emergency response to the fire and failures in completing required fire plans and emergency preparations. The building’s lack of functioning standpipes, essential for firefighting efforts, further exacerbated the tragic outcome. The families of Sherrill and Holmes are seeking justice and closure through the legal system while advocating for greater accountability and safety measures in construction projects.

Defendants Respond

A spokesperson for Mill Creek Residential Trust, one of the defendants named in the lawsuit, stated, “It is our policy not to comment on pending litigation. Our sympathies are with the families affected by the tragic fire.” The legal proceedings are underway as the families of the victims continue their quest for justice and accountability.

Remembering Demonte and Reuben

Demonte Sherrill and Reuben Holmes, whose lives were cut short in the devastating SouthPark fire, are remembered by their families and loved ones. The lawsuit serves as a tribute to their memory and a call for change to ensure the safety and well-being of workers and communities in construction projects across the region.