A Dallas County jury has returned a verdict worth $44.1 million against Missouri-based trucking company New Prime Inc. and one of its drivers in connection with a fatal crash during the massive multi-vehicle pileup on Interstate 35 in Fort Worth during the 2021 ice storm.
The verdict for the family of the victim includes $24.1 million in compensatory damages and $20 million in punitive damages due to gross negligence, according to a press release from Attorney Frank L. Branson.
Christopher Ray Vardy, a 49-year-old resident of Boyd, Texas, was killed when the vehicle he was driving was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler operated by New Prime Company driver Steven Ridder.
Vardy had stopped because earlier crashes blocked the southbound lanes due to dangerous icy conditions from Winter Storm Uri.
Evidence presented at the two-week trial in the 44th District Court showed the semi-truck was traveling at an excessive speed considering the dangerous road conditions and hazardous weather conditions, and that the driver had not received adequate winter weather driving training prior to being on the roads.
The pileup involved more than 130 vehicles, resulted in six deaths, and is considered one of the largest multi-vehicle crashes in North Texas history, according to comparative data from the NTSB.
“Trucking companies have the obligation to make sure their big rigs are being operated safely, which means taking extra precautions during extreme weather conditions, given the enormous size and weight of these vehicles,” Branson said. “The attention paid by this jury to the evidence during trial and deliberations and their resulting verdict gives the Vardy family a measure of comfort and sense of justice in their tragic loss.”
New Prime Inc., considered a trucking “giant” in the industry, has not issued a public comment on the verdict as of press time.
The 2021 Fort Worth I-35W crashes have generated multiple civil lawsuits, many of which were filed quickly against other trucking companies, the drivers themselves, the Texas Department of Transportation, and even the tollway operator, NTE Mobility Partners. However, this recent verdict appears to be among the largest in terms of compensation, according to public records.
“This jury took its responsibility seriously and spoke for the community,” added John Burkhead of The Law Offices of Frank L. Branson. “This decision should deter companies from putting profits and schedules ahead of human life.”
