Tailgater on Haunted Road Causes Death
Sep 11, 2012OUTCOME: 60 % in our favor
On Memorial Day 2009, around midnight, Jennifer and her three friends went for a ride on Sweet Hollow Road, South Huntington. The road is adjacent to graveyards and horse trails, and is heavily tree-li ... ned, very narrow and dark. Legend, and some television ghost-busters, says that it is haunted and you may see ghosts. At some point, the defendant's vehicle and two of his friends’ vehicles were behind Jennifer, tailgating her in a threatening manner. Every time Jennifer sped up to make some space, the defendant sped up and stayed on her tail. The defendant and his friends denied this and maintained they were always at least 5-15 car lengths away, if not more. Drugs and alcohol were not a factor for either driver. When Jennifer got near the end of the road, she significantly increased her speed and the defendant lost sight of her as she went around a curve, went out of control, and crashed into a tree. Jennifer died and her passengers suffered serious injuries. The firm was assigned to defend Jennifer and favorable settlements were reached on behalf of her insurer. However, based upon the information developed during discovery - that Jennifer was being tailgated - as opposed to her being simply a careless driver as inferred by the police report, the firm took the case on behalf of Jennifer’s estate. The defendant’s insurer refused to settle the matter and the firm’s trial attorney, Mike Mehary, persuaded the jury to find the tailgater 60 % at fault, obtaining a favorable recovery, and some well-needed closure, on behalf of her grieving parents.
