Virginia Lawyers Weekly VA Lawyers Weekly
On Jan. 21, 2011, at approximately 8:30 a.m., decedent, the father of the plaintiff, was traveling westbound on U.S. Route 360 in Amelia County. The defendant failed to stop at a stop sign, failed to observe a blinking traffic control device and proceeded onto 360, a four-lane divided roadway. Decedent was traveling at about 55 miles per hour when he struck defendant with his pickup truck at the rear axle of defendant’s pickup truck. Decedent died at the scene.
Decedent left behind his wife of 54 years, eight adult children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
After his retirement from the construction business he ran for many years (which his son now operates), the decedent was the pastor of a church of more than 300 congregants.
Type of action: Auto accident – wrongful death
Injuries alleged: Blunt force trauma causing death
Name of case: Garrestson v. Williams
Court: Powhatan Circuit Court
Case no.: CL 11-49
Tried before: Mediation
Mediator: Johanna Fitzpatrick
Date: Dec. 12, 2011
Demand: $1,500,000
Offer: None before mediation
Verdict or settlement: Settlement
Amount: $1,100,000
Attorneys for plaintiff: Stephen V. Sommers, Richmond; Graham T. Jennings Jr., Powhatan
Attorney for defendant: Tyler Shands, Richmond
Insurance carriers: Progressive and Northern Neck Insurance
Plaintiff’s expert: Dr. Robert Cook, economics, Richmond
