The family of a 25-year-old Ohio woman, Megan Keleman, who was tragically killed in a Taco Bell drive-thru line, has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the estate of the man responsible for her death. The incident occurred on August 14, 2024, when Keleman was waiting in her car after placing a mobile order at a Taco Bell in Stow, a suburb of Akron. Jason Williams, 53, repeatedly rammed her car from behind, trapping her in the drive-thru line.
The lawsuit details that Williams was visibly enraged, screaming and gesturing wildly. A Taco Bell employee overheard Keleman’s father, Nicholas, pleading for someone to call 911 through the drive-thru intercom. Williams then exited his vehicle, approached Keleman’s car, and shot her twice before turning the gun on himself. Authorities have found no evidence to suggest that Keleman and Williams knew each other.
The lawsuit reveals two significant pieces of information. Firstly, police discovered an open bottle of liquor and a cup containing a clear liquid in Williams’ car. Secondly, at least one individual was aware of Williams’ dangerous tendencies. His psychiatrist, who had seen him on the day of the incident, was not surprised by his suicide.
The plaintiffs argue that Williams had a long history of problematic behavior, including suicidal threats and multiple criminal charges involving weapons and alcohol. Despite this, he was consistently able to evade significant accountability and custody. The lawsuit outlines Williams’ criminal history, which includes a series of alcohol- and gun-related offenses dating back to 1994.
The Keleman family believes that if Williams had been properly monitored, their loved one would still be alive. At the time of his death, Williams was out on bond on a felony charge of improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He had also failed to obtain a court-ordered SCRAM device, which monitors the presence of alcohol in a person’s sweat.
The lawsuit also details a January 2024 incident where Williams threatened suicide during a call to an alcohol abuse and treatment center. Despite his threats and excessive drinking in their presence, police officers allowed Williams to remain at home, promising to attend an outpatient facility in Indiana. The police allegedly never followed up on this promise.
The defendants in the case are the administrators of Williams’ estate, along with unnamed individuals and entities whose negligence, recklessness, and disregard for safety contributed to Keleman’s death. The lawsuit, filed by attorney Rebecca Sremack on behalf of Keleman’s parents, seeks a jury trial, compensatory damages, and punitive damages. Sremack hopes the lawsuit will highlight the need for changes to gun laws, police responses to suicide crises, and the requirement for safety exit lanes at drive-thru establishments.