A Wayne County mother has filed a lawsuit alleging negligence in the handling of her son’s remains after a fatal motorcycle crash in Inkster.
Jessica Ostrowski claims large portions of 19-year-old Ethan Bennett’s brain and scalp were left at the scene of the collision on Michigan Avenue. This incident occurred when Bennett’s motorcycle collided with an SUV that turned into the middle lane from a nearby gas station.
Emergency services responded shortly after the accident, which resulted in Bennett suffering fatal injuries, including significant trauma to his head. According to the lawsuit filed in federal court, the scene was reopened to the public before all remains were recovered.
Ostrowski alleges that a firefighter and a police officer, unnamed in the suit, conducted a “wash down” of the area, allowing improper handling of Bennett’s remains. She claims that parts of his brain were found in a trash container following the incident.
The lawsuit names multiple defendants, including Wayne County Chief Medical Examiner LokMan Sung and Inkster Police Chief Tamika Jenkins, accusing them of failing to ensure proper procedures were followed. Inkster officials said they stand by their handling of the scene and have conducted comprehensive investigations with no findings of wrongdoing.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office previously faced scrutiny in a 2022 report detailing operational failures. Ostrowski contends that these failures persisted, resulting in emotional distress and mental anguish for her family.
She seeks compensation for her losses, arguing that next-of-kin rights were violated regarding the handling of her son’s remains.