BEAUMONT – After years of litigation, an automobile collision lawsuit culminated with a Jefferson County jury awarding the plaintiff only $99 for his past medical expenses.
Seeking up to $200,000 in damages, Beaumont resident Deron Crawford filed suit against Jacolby Gates and Joseph Bernard.
According to the lawsuit, Crawford was traveling on East Lucas when Gates, driving a vehicle insured by Bernard, allegedly failed to control his speed and rear-ended his vehicle.
Juhan
The case went to trial on Feb. 19 and ended two days later with jurors finding both Crawford and Gates were responsible for causing the collision, assigning each individual 50 percent of the blame.
The jury awarded Crawford $99.07 for his past medical expenses, declining to award him any damages for his alleged mental anguish and past impairment.
Crawford is represented by Beaumont attorney Jonathan Juhan.
Judge Kent Walston, 58th District Court, presided over the trial.
Cause No. A-199336