Jury awards passenger almost $130K for motor vehicle collision

In October 2007, Roy D. Johnson filed suit against KDR Supply after one of the company's truck drivers rear-ended a vehicle in which he was riding. A year later, on Dec. 12, Jefferson County jurors awarded Johnson nearly $130,000 for his injuries.

The trial began Dec. 8 in Judge Bob Wortham's 58th District Court and ended Friday with a $129,000 verdict.

Court documents show on July 9, 2007, Johnson was a passenger in one of his company's trucks. The vehicle was attempting to exit College Street and turn onto the Interstate 10 service road when Derek Veazey, a KDR Supply employee, rear ended the vehicle.

"Plaintiff's vehicle had to stop for traffic � when all of a sudden along came � Veazey and crashed with great force and violence into the rear of the vehicle in which plaintiff was a passenger," court documents say.

In his suit, Johnson faulted KDR Supply for negligently hiring and training Veazey, who was acting in the course and scope of his employment when the incident occurred.

The suit did not describe the nature of Johnson's injuries.

Jurors awarded him $15,000 for his mental anguish; $44,000 for lost earnings; $14,500 for his impairment; and $55,500 in medical expenses.

Johnson was represented by attorney Sid Stover of the Seale, Stover & Bisbey law firm.

KDR Supply was represented in part by attorney Joe Dodson.

Case No. A180-512