Hornets' Ball facing lawsuit for allegedly striking boy with vehicle
A mother is suing the Charlotte Hornets and LaMelo Ball after the All-Star guard allegedly struck her son with his vehicle as the young boy attempted to get Ball's autograph, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday and obtained by ESPN's Baxter Holmes.
The incident occurred last October after a fan event held at the team's home venue.
Following the festivities, Tamaria McRae's son, Angell Joseph, and a group of fans approached Ball's SUV while he was stopped at a traffic light close to the arena.
McRae says Ball looked at Joseph, who was next to the vehicle, and then drove "in a grossly negligent and reckless manner in that he accelerated his vehicle forward suddenly and without warning and struck" her son.
McRae's attorney, Cameron DeBrun, says Joseph sustained foot and back injuries as a result of Ball's actions. She's seeking damages in excess of $25,000, per Holmes.
"This is his hero, his idol, and he got run over by him," DeBrun told Jason Stoogenke of Wsoctv.com.