Reggae musician Frederick “Toots” Hibbert is suing the man accused of throwing a bottle at him during a concert in Virginia. Hibbert has filed a lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court against 19-year-old William C. Lewis, who’s charged with felony malicious wounding.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that Hibbert is seeking $1 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages.
The 70-year-old singer was struck in the head with a tossed vodka bottle while he performed on Brown’s Island in the James River on May 18. After suffering a deep head cut, Hibbert canceled the remaining stops on his tour and returned to Jamaica.
According to the complaint, Hibbert suffered permanent scarring and left the singer “disoriented and grievously injured in body and mind.” He’s also been unable to record, compose or make public appearances. Canceling the rest of the tour because of the incident cost Hibbert significant income, the lawsuit says.
Christopher Collins, an attorney representing Lewis, did not return a telephone message from The Associated Press seeking comment on Friday.
Following an appearance last week in Richmond General District Court for a hearing in the criminal case, Collins said Lewis was “devastated” and “very remorseful” about what happened to Hibbert.
The malicious wounding charge is expected to go before a grand jury July 1.
