A motion was recently approved by a judge adding new claims to an April 2018 wrongful death lawsuit in the case of Mikaela Jones, 22, who was fatally struck by an armored truck driver on April 17, 2018, in the parking lot of La Jolla Village Square shopping center.

It was Jones’ birthday and she was crossing the street in La Jolla Village Square when her dog got away from her, according to San Diego Police.

The lawsuit against Garda CL West and its truck driver employee Kevin Barber, alleges the company knew Barber was unfit and inexperienced to drive armored trucks, yet continued to employ him up to the day Jones was fatally struck.

The shopping center was also named as a defendant.

“The case is currently on track to go to trial on April 10 in downtown San Diego,” said the plaintiff’s attorney Robert S. Glassman, of the law firm of Panish Shea & Boyle. “While much of the evidence has already been uncovered, there are still some witnesses we need to speak with whose testimony will shed light on just how and why a tragic event like this could happen.”

The complaint also alleges Barber sped up, rather than slowed down, when he came around a curve in the parking lot and struck Jones.

Added Glassman, “Based on what we know so far, though, we have recently included allegations against Garda for negligently entrusting the armored truck to the driver who we believe should have never been operating this type of vehicle in the first place. Mikaela’s parents are still grieving and will never get over the unimaginable loss of their beloved daughter who brought so much joy and light to their lives.”