The families of the preschool teacher and 1-year-old girl who were killed in the crash at Excelled Montessori Plus School near Boerne have filed a lawsuit against the driver and school. They have also asked a San Antonio state lawmaker for changes.
In the lawsuit obtained by KSAT, the families of Alexia Rosales and Mkaya Amrani claim Valerie L. Haas, the driver in the crash, was “negligent, careless and reckless” — saying she failed to take proper precautions while operating her vehicle.
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“Defendant Haas had a duty to exercise the degree of care that a reasonably careful person would use to avoid harm to others under circumstances similar to those described herein,” the lawsuit reads. “Deceased Minor Plaintiff M.A. injuries and resulting death and Alexia Rosales’ death was proximately and substantially caused by Defendants negligent, careless, and reckless disregard of said duty.”
The incident happened around 4:15 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2024. Haas' vehicle was in the pickup line when it accelerated into another car, ramming both vehicles through a fence and into a playground at the school. It happened as parents were picking up their children after a holiday performance.
Five children, including Amrani, were hospitalized. Rosales, the 22-year-old teacher, was killed at the scene.
In an exclusive interview with KSAT, Pibo Amrani, the father of Mkaya, demanded accountability for the crash.
>>> ‘It didn’t feel real': Family of 1-year-old child injured in Montessori school crash comes forward
At a news conference following the crash, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Haas may have a medical history that could have led to the crash. The lawsuit and Haas' response to it do not mention her apparent medical history.
Haas' attorney declined to comment when reached by KSAT.
The sheriff’s office told KSAT on Friday that no charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing.
In another claim, the families say Excelled Montessori Plus, the other defendant in the lawsuit, was negligent in maintaining proper safety for the children.
They said the school failed to place “proper and adequate barriers” between the parking lot and playground, had improper fencing and inadequate safety measures — which they believe caused the deaths of Amrani and Rosales.
For their deaths, the lawsuit states that the family is seeking compensatory damages for physical and emotional pain, medical and funeral expenses and loss of companionship. In total, the claimed damages exceed $1 million.
Additionally, the families seek a jury trial.
KSAT obtained Haas' response to the lawsuit in which she denied the allegations.
Those court records also show Excelled Schools had been served on Tuesday. A school spokesperson declined to comment Friday afternoon.
In addition to the lawsuit, the families also asked a San Antonio state lawmaker to help implement changes to prevent similar incidents.
The families drafted a proposed ordinance to the state Rep. Ray Lopez called the “Amrani-Rosales Safety Ordinance,” which, if passed, is a tribute to Amrani and Rosales.
It focuses on establishing safety requirements and standards at Bexar County child centers to prevent future similar crashes.
The proposal starts with five key provisions that would affect all childcare centers:
- Applicability: This means the ordinance would be applied to all licensed childcare centers in Bexar County, including any new construction or major renovations of existing facilities.
- Vehicle Impact Protection Measures: All childcare centers would install physical barriers, such as bollards, concrete planters or protective structures to prevent future accidents like the Montessori crash. Additionally, the barriers must comply with certain standards.
- Placement and Design: The mentioned barriers must be strategically placed to protect playgrounds, entrances, exits and areas where children and staff likely gather. Additionally, the barrier designs should consider accessibility, compatibility and aesthetics with existing infrastructure.
- Permitting and Compliance: All centers must submit plans showing compliance with the proposed ordinance and existing centers undergoing renovations must comply.
- Enforcement and Penalties: If passed, the ordinance will designate an enforcement authority, such as the county’s building and safety department. If noncompliance occurs, centers may face penalties or fines or have their operating license suspended.
They said the changes would prevent similar incidents, provide reassurance to parents and guardians that their child’s safety was a priority, and it would cost less to install barriers than to lose a potential life.
More coverage of this story on KSAT:
