Multimillion judgment reached in wrongful death suit

A multimillion-dollar judgment for the plaintiff was reached in a wrongful death suit in Barton County.

Plaintiff Charles Brower was awarded $6 million on Oct. 9, 2025, following a bench trial. Judge David Reid Munton presided. Of the total value, $3 million was for actual damages and $3 million was for punitive damages.

According to court documents, Brower filed the case in May 2025 individually and as next friend for minor children of Chloe Brower, Brower’s daughter.

Per the petition filed in circuit court, on May 14, 2025, defendant Dakota Greenlee was driving a Harley Davidson motorcycle on U.S. Highway 160 near its intersection with Depot Street in Golden City. Chloe Brower was a passenger on the back of the motorcycle, sitting behind him. The petition alleges that Green “negligently and carelessly” crashed the motorcycle which resulted in severe injuries to Chloe, ultimately leading to her death on May 19.

The verdict was reached after the defendant failed to appear for a motion hearing and failed to answer or file motions.

The plaintiff was represented by Randy J. Reichard of Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law in Springfield. No attorney was listed for the defendant.

“It gave her parents some relief that there was some outcome against the defendant in the case,” Reichard said. “It was a tragic result and terrible incident. It won’t bring her back, but it gave some sense of justice.”

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Wrongful Death

Amount of judgment/bench trial: $6 million for plaintiff

Breakdown and distribution of total value: $3 million for actual damages, $3 million for punitive damages

Type of action: Wrongful Death

Venue: Barton County Circuit Court

Case Number/Date: 25B4-CV00228, 10/09/2025

Caption: Charles Brower, individually and as next friend vs. Dakota Greenlee

Injuries alleged: Death

Injuries detail: Blunt force trauma to the head resulting in death

Plaintiff Attorney(s): Randy J. Reichard of Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law in Springfield

Defendant Attorney(s): None