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Jury awards almost $50 million in crash that killed 1 and paralyzed CHP officer

By Raul Hernandez

Ventura County Star

Posted January 25, 2011 at 1:59 p.m., updated January 25, 2011 at 5:58 p.m.

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DiggFacebookLinkedInTweet thisPrintAAA.A jury awarded almost $50 million in damages Tuesday to four plaintiffs, including a former California Highway Patrol officer, in a civil suit involving a fatal traffic crash in 2007.

Jurors in Ventura County Superior Court gave former CHP Officer Anthony Pedeferri and his wife, Carrie, $38 million in damages and awarded $10.2 million to Jesus and Dora Parra. The Parras’ son, Rolando, was killed in the traffic accident on Highway 101 which also left Pedeferri paralyzed.

Earlier this month, the jury found Jeremy White of Paso Robles negligent in causing the Dec. 19, 2007 accident near Faria Beach north of Ventura. In a separate criminal case, White was sentenced in 2008 to 15 years in prison for the crash. He pleaded guilty to two felonies: gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and selling and transporting marijuana.

The accident occurred when Pedeferri pulled Parra over onto the shoulder of northbound Highway 101. He was talking to him through the vehicle window when White’s truck slammed into Parra’s sport utility vehicle, killing him.

The Parras’ lawyer, John Gerard, said the damages were well-deserved.

“It was a tremendous loss, and the jury recognized this and fairly compensated them,†Gerard said.

One of the Pedeferris’ lawyers, Erik Feingold, said they were extremely happy for their clients who have gone through a lot to get to this day.

Feingold and Michael Alder, the couple’s other lawyer, had asked jurors last week to award them $35 million to $40 million for past and future economic damages, medical and psychological expenses, and pain and suffering.

Gerard asked for $10 million to $12 million for the Parras.

“It seems just,†Anthony Pedeferri said. “I am sure this will get (legally) dragged out a long time. This is one more little victory.â€

The jurors also found Bert’s Mega Mall in Covina liable in the case. They found that mall employees didn’t properly strap down two dirt bikes in the back of White’s truck, which caused a distraction and contributed to the crash.

After the trial ended Tuesday, the mall’s lawyer, Terrence Cranert, said they would appeal.

He said there was significant evidence the jury didn’t receive, including a statement from White’s passenger who told the CHP that he and White had stopped to smoke marijuana after leaving the mall. Cranert said they weren’t able to find White’s passenger for the trial, but felt the information should have been allowed.

The judge, however, disagreed.

White’s passenger also told the CHP that he and White went into the back of the truck and opened a tool box to get the marijuana, according to Cranert.

“They would have to unstrap the motorcycles†Cranert said. “We also believe that there may have been significant juror misconduct.â€

He declined to elaborate on the allegations of jury misconduct.

White’s lawyer, Kurt Boyd, said he is undecided as to whether he would appeal.

“It was a difficult case from everybody’s perspective. I understand the jury’s results,†he said. “It was very difficult from Mr. White’s perspective because of the sentiment against him extending from the criminal case.â€

After the trial, jurors met with the attorneys along with the four plaintiffs to discuss the case. Anthony Pedeferri said in an interview that he plans to continue to help other disabled athletes through the foundation he started, Wings of Sport, which buys expensive equipment for them to compete in events.

“I mean sitting around the house you have nothing more to think about than your wheelchair and your injuries and all that stuff,†he said.

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Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jan/25/jury-awards-almost-50-million-in-crash-that-1/#ixzz1CAJFP7gX

- vcstar.com