Couple killed in accident involving sheriff’s deputy — $5M settlement

Type of action: Wrongful death, auto accident

Name of case: Dangerfield v. Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office

Date resolved: 7/11/2022

Verdict or settlement: Settlement

Amount: $5,000,000

Attorneys for plaintiff (and city): Jeffrey Breit and Kevin Biniazan, Virginia Beach; Don Scott, Portsmouth

Description of case: The Dangerfield family and Fauquier County have agreed to resolve the wrongful death cases which resulted from a traffic accident between a former deputy in the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office and Mr. and Mrs. Dangerfield. The county and the Dangerfields agreed to settle the cases for $5 million, the full extent of insurance available for these claims. “This tragedy was unfortunate and avoidable,” says Jeffrey Breit, one of the attorneys for the family. Kevin Biniazan, also counsel for the family, says “the family is grateful that the claims were resolved quickly and without drawn out litigation but this money could never replace the loss of Mr. and Mrs. Dangerfield. Not a day goes by when the grandchildren don’t ask about their grandparents.”

The county and Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office confirm retraining on policies for proper operation of vehicles has occurred with all Sheriff’s Office personnel. In addition, this and other policies that relate to the safety of law enforcement personnel and general public have and will be ongoing in the future to help avoid tragedies like this.

Plaintiff’s law firm submitted case information.