Lackawanna County Judge Terrence Nealon ruled in favor of the plaintiff in a lawsuit awarding $2.3 million to his estate.
As per court papers, on August 28, 2016, the defendant was in a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe driving on South Main Avenue in the northern direction, when suddenly, he crossed over the southbound lane onto the western sidewalk, hitting the decedent's bicycle and dragging him ahead.
The settlement resolved personal injury claims filed against the driver and the vehicle owner. Since the defendants failed to respond to the lawsuit, a default judgment was entered against them. The plaintiff's pretrial memorandum stated that at the time of the crash, the driver had consumed drugs, alcohol, and some other substances which made him incapable to drive a motor vehicle. As a result of his negligent and reckless driving, the plaintiff was injured and left with permanent injuries which caused his death.The attorneys also blamed the driver for neglecting the plaintiff's condition and allowing him to operate the vehicle.
The driver was imprisoned at Lackawanna County Prison. Plaintiff's estate also sought to get insurance coverage from the defendant's insurer, CSAA General Insurance Co.; however, the company claimed it was not their duty to insure the defendants.
