Facts

Jacob Soto, Sodel Wissar, Brandon Banos, and minors Annamia Rose Wissar and Isaac Wissar filed suit against the County of Los Angeles, the California Department of Transportation, Samantha Lozano, and the State of California in relation to a fatal multi-vehicle collision that took place on February 4, 2017, on Palmdale Boulevard in Palmdale. Lozano was driving with five passengers, including the adult plaintiffs, when she lost control of her vehicle and crashed. The adult plaintiffs did not die, but the minor plaintiffs' parents died as a result of the crash. All occupants were not wearing their seatbelts and there were five passengers in a four passenger car. Lozano fled from the scene with two backpacks retrieved from the trunk with unknown contents. She was subsequently arrested two weeks later with large quantities of methamphetamines.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs contended that the County was responsible for a dangerous condition of the road that caused Lozano to lose control of her vehicle and strike a utility pole. Plaintiffs also contended that Defendant Lozano looked altered as she was driving and she was in a verbal and physical argument with one of the Plaintiffs sitting in the front seat.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants denied the allegations. Defendant Lozano contended one of the Plaintiffs were to blame for holding onto the steering wheel and fighting for control of it.

Injuries

The adult plaintiffs sought damages for the personal injuries they suffered as a result of the crash, while the minor plaintiffs sought wrongful death damages for the death of their parents.

Result

The County agreed to pay plaintiffs a total of $91,000 to settle their claims.