The family of former Berkeley Mayor Eugene “Gus” Newport has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Owl Inc. Transportation.

The lawsuit alleges that the company negligence in training of employees and its failure to maintain a proper standard of care caused the injuries which resulted in Newport’s death in June, at the age of 88.

Filed by Newport’s spouse Kathryn Ruth Kasch, son Kyle Newport and daughter Maria Mercedes Newport on July 21, the lawsuit lists Owl Inc., a Florida transportation corporation that operates under the name Owl Transportation, and an anonymous Owl driver as defendants.

According to the complaint, Newport was scheduled for a medical visit at the U.S. Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Francisco on June 12.

Newport used a wheelchair as a result of the partial amputation of his right leg, as mentioned in the complaint. It also states that at the time of his death, Newport was in good physical condition and a beloved member of the Berkeley community.

An Owl vehicle operated by the driver, called “defendant Doe 1” in the complaint, arrived at his Oakland residence in the afternoon to transport Newport, who uses a wheelchair, to his appointment, the complaint states.

Somewhere along the journey on or near the San Francisco Bay Bridge, the complaint said Newport was “injured in a manner currently unknown and suffered a severe injury to his cervical spine.”

According to the complaint and Newport’s family, these actions ultimately resulted in Newport’s death June 17.

The report lists four claims against the defendants: negligence, misconduct, elder abuse and wrongful death. The plaintiffs are claiming emotional and medical damages and compensation. According to the complaint, the compensatory amount is currently undetermined.

Neither Owl Inc. nor the law firm representing the plaintiffs — Siegel, Yee, Brunner & Mehta — have given statements to The Daily Californian regarding the incident or complaint.

Newport moved to Berkeley in 1979 and served as the city’s mayor from 1979 to 1986, according to a newsletter released by current Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguín at the time of Newport’s death.

In the same statement Arreguín said he often looked up to Newport and saw him as a “unabashed radical and visionary leader.”

City Councilmember Kate Harrison echoed the sentiments, noting that he was known for accomplishments such as strengthening the city’s Police Accountability Board and contributing to the fight for racial justice and equality in Berkeley.

“(His death) reminds us that we have had people that were this strong and courageous in office,” Harrison said in an interview with The Daily Californian at the time of Newport’s death. “It’s important to remember that and it reminds us that we have an entire community of people who care about justice and equity.”