NHL Player Faces Civil Penalties Following Criminal Conviction

NHL Player Faces Civil Penalties Following Criminal Conviction

Retired NHL defenseman Rob Ramage is now facing serious civil litigation as a result of a December 2003 auto collision resulting in the fatality of his passenger, another former NHL player, and the injury of the SUV driver he collided into on that fateful day.

The news of the civil suit follows Ramage’s conviction last week stemming from the collision in which, while driving recklessly and impaired, Ramage killed former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Keith Magnuson and injured the driver of the SUV with whom he collided.

Magnuson’s family filed the wrongful death suit against Ramage in the city of St. Louis, Missouri.  Included in the wrongful death lawsuit is the National rental car company from which Ramage’s vehicle was rented. Police reports state the Magnuson was killed instantly when Ramage’s rental car crossed the center line of the road and collided with an oncoming SUV.  The suit also states the defendant Ramage was driving at excessive speeds and recklessly.

The civil trial for Ramage, who was criminally convicted of four charges, is scheduled to begin November 5.