Danville Jury Finds Negligence in Fatal Crash, Awards $11,457

A fatal single-vehicle crash occurred in Danville, Kentucky, during the early morning hours of July 21, 2016. The driver, operating a vehicle owned by a relative, was traveling at nearly 100 mph when the vehicle ran a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 33 and Faulkner Road, crashing into a stone wall. The collision resulted in the immediate deaths of the driver and two passengers. A fourth passenger sustained serious injuries and was airlifted for treatment. Evidence indicated the driver had consumed alcohol, and both deceased passengers had marijuana in their systems.

The estates of the two deceased passengers subsequently filed a lawsuit against the driver's estate, alleging negligence due to reckless driving. The plaintiffs sought damages for funeral expenses and the loss of future earning capacity. A claim for punitive damages was dismissed by the court, citing Kentucky law prohibiting punishment of an estate.

The defendant's estate conceded fault for the accident but argued that one of the passengers shared blame for encouraging the driver to speed. The defense also contested the extent of damages, noting both deceased passengers had limited work histories and challenging the vocational expert's estimates for future earning capacity as not based on specific work documentation.

After a two-day trial, the jury deliberated for one hour. It found the driver 100% at fault, rejecting the argument for comparative negligence. The jury awarded the plaintiffs damages solely for funeral expenses ($7,418 for one estate and $4,039 for the other), returning zero for the claims related to loss of future earning capacity.