Judge Nixes Suit over Pennsylvania Officer’s Crash Death

A federal judge has dismissed a police widow’s lawsuit against a suburban Philadelphia township over its insurance coverage.

Middletown Township Officer Chris Jones was killed by an intoxicated driver during a 2009 traffic stop. Driver Frank Budka is serving a 4-1/2 to 17-year prison term.

Suzanne Jones’ suit says the township lowered its underinsured motorist coverage from $1 million to $35,000 without informing her 37-year-old husband, a father of three. She was seeking more than $450,000.

But the Bucks County Courier Times reported that a judge found she had no constitutional right to the coverage. Family lawyer Charles Leone may refile the complaint in state court.

Suzanne Jones has received a $130,000 life insurance policy, and will get her husband’s $75,000 salary and family medical benefits unless she remarries.