Clayton County Judge Awards $2.2M in DUI Motor Vehicle Collision

A motor vehicle accident occurred on Northside Drive in Atlanta when a driver, later identified as the defendant, collided with a parked van. The plaintiff was standing between the parked van and a utility truck when the collision occurred, pinning the plaintiff between the two vehicles for approximately 20 minutes. The defendant, under the influence of narcotics, fled the scene but was later apprehended and tested positive for cocaine and morphine. The defendant subsequently pleaded guilty to criminal charges stemming from the incident.

The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging the defendant negligently operated his vehicle with careless disregard for others' safety and sought punitive damages. United Water Services, owner of the utility truck, was initially a defendant but was dismissed on summary judgment. A default judgment on liability was entered against the driver-defendant after he failed to file an answer in the civil case.

A hearing was subsequently held in Clayton County State Court to determine damages. The defendant, representing himself, apologized for the accident during the hearing. The plaintiff, a 71-year-old retired male, sustained bilateral patella fractures and anticipated the need for future knee replacement surgery. A Clayton County judge awarded the plaintiff $2,200,000 in damages.