Defense verdict following two-week wrongful death trial
Facts: Roosevelt Williams was operating a tractor trailer for Clary Logging crossing over I-75 in Dooly County, Georgia. Plaintiff was approaching in the opposite direction. A vehicle exiting I-75 pulled into the path of Defendants’ log truck and forced Defendant to veer left and into the path of the oncoming Plaintiff vehicle. Plaintiff driver was killed. Plaintiff passenger suffered broken leg. Clary Logging’s driver’s post-accident drug test revealed cocaine and marijuana in his blood system. In addition, the driver had a subsequent cocaine possession conviction and child molestation conviction. Accordingly, Plaintiff was seeking punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.
Alleged injury/damages: Broken leg. Medical specials of $22,900 and lost income claim of $4,500.
Last offer/Last demand: Plaintiff demanded $250,000. Defendant offered $50,000.
Result: $22,900 verdict for plaintiff (wrongful death case settled separately).
Court: Superior Court of Crisp County, Georgia
Attorneys: Bill Casey and Erica Morton for Clary Logging and Roosevelt Williams; Trey Moody for plaintiff.