The family of a Tampa woman who died of carbon monoxide poisoning has filed a lawsuit. The death came about after a man left his vehicle running in the garage all night.

In September 2011, emergency personnel responded to the Vista Grande at Tampa Palms, 5720 Cypress Palms Lane, after a maintenance man smelled an odor and began evactuating the residents.

During the evacuation, three women were taken to University Community Hospital after being overcome by the gas. It was later determined that the three had been exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Ms. Rebecca Hawk was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her roommate, Ms. Kashunda Joyner, 20, was admitted to the hospital in stable condition. A 62-year-old woman was treated and released.

A native of Jacksonville, Ms. Hawk graduated from the University of South Florida and was hired by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office as a Child Protection Investigator. She completed her training on August 26, 2011.

She had been employed for 10 weeks and was in the first week of field training at the time of her death.

Police learned that their neighbor, Andrew Grywalski, 22, parked his 2011 Gray Mazda in the garage at 8:30 p.m., and left the vehicle running. The car ran for about 12 hours.

The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office determined that it was an accidental death and did not file any charges.

The lawsuit alleges that the owner and management failed to maintain a separation wall between the apartment Hawk lived in and didn’t keep the garage in good repair.

The lawsuit names Grywalski, the landowner, the management company, and several others. A Jacksonville law firm is representing the family.