The son of a Youngstown woman who was struck and killed by a pickup truck after walking away from Mercy Hospital in Boardman is suing the hospital and several of its staff members.

Flor Marquez has filed a civil lawsuit on behalf of the estate of his mother, Petra Marquez, who died on November 9, 2020, after being hit by the truck as she was crossing Market Street in front of the hospital.

The wrongful death lawsuit alleges that the hospital was negligent and failed to comply with standards of care, allegedly disregarding the rights and safety of the 70-year-old victim who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

The complaint states that Marquez was brought to the hospital's emergency department for altered mental status. Her son was not permitted to stay at the hospital due to COVID-19 protocols, according to the lawsuit.

Hospital officials couldn't account for Marquez's whereabouts at around 9 p.m., until it was discovered that she had left the hospital and was struck by the truck, states the complaint.

According to the State Patrol, Marquez walked into the path of southbound traffic and was struck by the Ford F350. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The complaint names fifteen doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff as defendants, as well as between one and five unknown people allegedly responsible for the woman’s care.

The lawsuit seeks relief in excess of $25,000.

Mercy Health has yet to file a response to the lawsuit.