Facts

On Aug. 28, 2006, Albert Merritt, 56, was killed while riding his motorcycle on Old Redwood Highway, north of Santa Rosa. Merritt was hit by a semi-truck operated by defendant Ryan Lewis and owned by his employer, defendant Northwest General Engineering. A defense witness claimed to see Merritt speeding and weaving on the road recklessly but the California Highway Patrol investigation contradicted this testimony.

The plaintiffs Rachel Merritt, Morgan Merritt, Sarah Ponsford, and Katie Donaghy, Albert Merritt's four children, filed suit for wrongful death.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiffs contended that Lewis failed to properly scan the road prior to moving forward.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
The defendants claimed that Merritt had been speeding and driving recklessly.

Injuries

The plaintiffs claimed injuries, including death and loss of consortium.

Result

The plaintiffs settled the suit for $1,750,000 through private mediation.