Family Awarded $20 Million in Drunk Driving Car Crash Case in Which Lancaster Woman was Killed
How much is a drunk driving car accident case worth when a loved one is senselessly killed? The truth of the matter is that it depends on the facts and circumstances of each case, and there is no “typical” case when it comes to drunk driving car accidents. However, a recent 2023 drunk driving car accident case in Lancaster, California demonstrates how at least one Lancaster jury valued the claims of the family members who brought a wrongful death lawsuit in response to the killing of their beloved family member at the hands of a drunk driver in 2018.
According to local news reports, the family of 26-year-old Jessica Ordaz, who was killed in a drunk driving car accident in 2018, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in court in Lancaster. The wrongful death lawsuit stems from the drunk driving car accident caused by 40-year-old Mary Noel Kruppe that happened almost five years before the trial on November 15, 2018. On that day, prosecutors proved that Kruppe had been intoxicated when she veered the wrong-way into oncoming traffic on 50th Street East near Avenue P, in Palmdale, California. Kruppe crashed head-on into Ordaz in the drunk driving car accident, and Ordaz was killed on impact. Blood alcohol samples taken at the hospital after the accident revealed that Kruppe had a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit when the accident occurred.
A criminal case against Kruppe was brought by the State of California, and she was found guilty of second-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated on February 4, 2020. Kruppe received a prison sentence of 15 years to life in prison in the criminal case against her. Ordaz’s close family members brought the follow-up wrongful death lawsuit under California civil personal injury laws, and a jury awarded the family $20 million in the case. Attorneys for Ordaz’s family members released the following statement after receiving news of the jury award: “It’s frustrating that insurance companies like Geico drag these clear liability cases out for years to avoid paying what’s rightfully owed to our clients…These aggressive tactics by insurance companies do nothing more than prolong the suffering of a grieving family.” The lawyers also added, “Ms. Kruppe clearly knew her actions would put everyone on the road in danger, yet she still decided to get behind the wheel after a night of heavy drinking…Our client’s daughter had such a bright future ahead of her, but it was shattered because of Ms. Kruppe’s reckless behavior.”
If you or a loved one were injured by a drunk driver in Lancaster, contact the experienced Lancaster personal injury lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm. The experienced Lancaster personal injury lawyers at the Trevino Law Firm are here to help Lancaster car accident victims and their families get justice under California personal injury laws. Do not hesitate to speak to an experienced Lancaster personal injury lawyer about your case today. Contact the Trevino Law Firm and speak to a lawyer about your case now.
Source:
ktla.com/news/local-news/20-million-awarded-to-family-of-lancaster-woman-killed-in-dui-crash/
