An Alabama Man Prevented His Wife From Driving Drunk and Was Charged With Manslaughter When She Was Hit By Car Walking Home

An Alabama man who prevented his wife from driving home drunk ended up facing manslaughter charges when she was struck and killed by a car. He is now suing an officer involved in the case, the bar that served her, and the man who hit her. 

Jason Todd, 42, argued with his wife, Tonya Anderson, who insisted she drive herself home from the Friends Steakhouse in August of 2018. AL.com reports that he went back into the bar to pay his tab, and Anderson decided to walk home. The 35-year-old was fatally struck while walking along Highway 31.

Clanton police accused him of throwing his wife’s keys across the road and forcing her to walk home. They said this is what led to her being hit by the car. Investigators used this narrative to charge Todd with manslaughter. 

Todd’s lawsuit against the Clanton Police Department states that surveillance footage from the bar shows the two in the parking lot but never shows him making a throwing motion. He alleges they forced him to look at photos of his wife’s body and “berated and screamed at” him.

In April, another officer and the City of Clanton were dismissed from the lawsuit by a US District Court Judge, leaving only Officer David Hicks. Hicks has denied any wrongdoing. Jury selection for the trial against Hicks is scheduled to begin February 27, 2023.

In June of 2020, a judge tossed Todd’s indictment, citing lack of evidence. 

Todd’s lawsuit against the Friends Steakhouse and Carey Roger Glenn, the man who hit and killed Anderson, is ongoing. The suit asks for damages from the restaurant for contributing to Todd’s loss of financial and economic support due to Anderson’s death. A judge recently continued the case at the request of all parties, who are hopeful they can reach an agreement in mediation. 

“It is our position that Tonya was visible enough for Mr. Glenn to have avoided her,” said Todd’s attorney, Sara William.

She added, “It’s just making sure that bars that are similarly situated to this one understand that there are going to be those that seek to hold them accountable.”