California Correctional Officer v. DOES (confidential)
N/AOUTCOME: $500,000
On Tuesday, December 5, 2000 at approximately 1:45 p.m., plaintiff, a 30 year old man, was driving the family vehicle (1987 Chevy S-10) eastbound on Avenue 56 in an unincorporated area near Porterville ... approaching the intersection with Road 192. He was alone and traveling to North Kern State Prison where he had worked as a Correctional Officer since July 1995. Also at that time, defendant, while in the course and scope of his employment with his own company was traveling westbound on Avenue 56 approaching the intersection in his 1997 Ford F 150 truck. The defendant was on his way to a job. The defendant approached the intersection of Avenue 56 and proceeded to commence his left turn through the intersection. The defendant did not come to a complete stop prior to commencing his left turn. The defendant had already begun his left turn when he first noticed plaintiff. At that same moment, plaintiff was approaching from eastbound on Avenue 56. Defendant failed to yield (as he was required to do) and turned his truck left right in front of plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff attempted to avoid the accident by braking - but was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, the two vehicles collided. Defendant was determined (by the California Highway Patrol) to be the cause of this collision . . . by failing to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic in violation of section 21801(a) V.C. Plaintiff’s vehicle was declared a total loss (property damage was approximately $4,600.00). Defendant’s truck was also declared a total loss (actual cash value estimated at $14,025.00). As a result of the accident Plaintiff suffered injuries. Plaintiff thereafter filed this action based upon the negligence of defendants.
