The City of Torrance has filed a subrogation claim against a major Korean church and its pastor, seeking reimbursement for city expenses related to a vehicle accident that injured a city employee and caused property damage.
According to a complaint filed on July 25 in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Torrance Courthouse, the city alleges that the accident occurred last November at Wilson Park near the Sports Center rotary entrance.
The suit names Torrance First Presbyterian Church and Pastor Changhyun Ko as defendants. The city claims that Ko, while driving a church-owned vehicle, caused the crash that resulted in both injury to an employee and damage to public property. It argues that the church, as the vehicle’s owner and Ko’s employer, holds joint liability.
The injured employee was identified as Joyce Chan, a city worker. The City of Torrance stated that it covered Chan’s medical costs and wages through insurance and is now seeking to recover those payments from the defendants.
Court proceedings are expected to begin soon, with attorneys from both sides preparing for discussion.
BY WONHEE CHO [cho.wonhee@koreadaily.com]
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