A group of racehorse owners whose thoroughbreds were either killed or severely injured in a March tractor trailer crash has filed a lawsuit against the transportation company and driver hired to bring the horses to Keeneland.

In the lawsuit filed Sept. 30 in Nelson Circuit Court, the plaintiffs allege negligence by Missouri-based Creech Horse Transportation and driver Guy Landmeier contributed to the trailer crashed into the side of a Bluegrass Parkway overpass near Bardstown. The plaintiffs accused Landmeier of endangering the animals by continuing to drive the vehicle "while fatigued and falling asleep."

The plaintiffs also claimed they were misled by the transportation company into believing there would be two drivers on the trip and that Landmeier had exceeded the maximum allowed driving hours, among other alleged misrepresentations. The plaintiffs also believe there to be a breach of contract because horses had died or were severely injured in the crash.

The racehorse owners seek at least $3 million dollars in compensation, as well as additional compensation for punitive damages.

The lawsuit was later filed in the Western District of Kentucky Oct. 24, according to court records. No other court dates have been scheduled.