A federal jury in Arkansas has awarded a $7 million judgment to the family of a Farmington, Mo., truck driver killed when his vehicle was struck by another semi-truck driven by a fatigued driver.
According to the Insurance Journal, the jury found in favor of the family of Roger Reagan, the driver killed in the crash. Maverick Transportation, which employed Reagan, also sued because of damage to the truck and was awarded $93,000 in the judgment.
The suit was brought against Dunaway Timber Co. and driver Morgan Quisenberry. According to the lawsuit, Quisenberry’s truck was headed west on U.S. Highway 62 near Yellville on Sept. 3, 2008, when it crossed into the eastbound lanes and collided with Reagan’s truck. Quisenberry was in violation of driver hours-of-service regulations and was fatigued at the time of the crash, according to lawyers in the case.
“The driver had inadequate experience and had a horrible driving record,” Kent Emison, an attorney for the Reagan family told the Insurance Journal. “I think the most significant thing about the case is that driving while fatigued or tired is just as dangerous as driving under the influence.”
