Freeman v. Elgin Sweeper Co.

PER CURIAM:

This litigation with, in our court, two different cases (88-8115 and 88-8588), three plaintiffs and approximately 15 separate defendants, actually involves a traffic collision between a bicycle operated by the plaintiffs’ child and a street sweeper operated by the City of La Grange, Georgia. The child died as a result of the collision.

Nothing about this mishap is said to have included intentional deprivation by any governmental operator of the life of this young boy. Whether or not there was actionable negligence under state law, it is clear that any wrongdoing of the City of La Grange or its street sweeper driver did not rise to the level of a constitutional deprivation sufficient to support a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

Along with the attempt to allege federal claims, plaintiffs/appellants’ attorney has named a substantial number of what are said to be pendant state claims.

The district judge gave careful consideration to voluminous filings and tenders on behalf of the plaintiffs, concluding that no federal claim was stated and that pendant state claims ought not be retained by the federal court. All claims in both cases have been dismissed.

We are not in a position to say whether or not there might be a case of liability under state law for damages or wrongful death damages arising out of this traffic accident. We do not do so and neither did the district judge. A traffic accident of this sort, even though involving a vehicle operated by a state actor, does not constitute a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The plaintiffs and the plaintiffs’ counsel should address claims under state law without running the risk that diversion into the federal courts may permit the state statute of limitations to expire.

AFFIRMED.