Facts

Plaintiffs Miguel Meza and Arthuro Mejia-Morales filed separate lawsuits against the County of Los Angeles in relation to a multi-vehicle collision that took place on the morning of June 21, 2016 on State Route 60 near Mednik Avenue.

PLAINTIFFS' CONTENTIONS: Plaintiffs alleged that an on-duty Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy sheriff rear-ended Mejia-Morales' vehicle that had stalled in the number two lane of State Route 60 near the Interstate 710 interchange in East Los Angeles. Plaintiffs contended that the impact of the collision caused six more collisions to occur, and one of those collisions was a broadside collision between the deputy sheriff's vehicle and a box truck driven by Meza. Plaintiffs claimed they sustained injuries as a result of the collisions, and that the deputy sheriff was negligent in the operation of his vehicle, thus causing the collisions. Mejia-Morales claimed his vehicle shut off due to unknown mechanical issues, and he activated his emergency hazard lights before calling 9-1-1 for assistance. Mejia-Morales alleged he was unable to move his vehicle over to the shoulder of the highway because other vehicles were driving by at fast speeds.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: The County described the incident and claimed that the deputy sheriff observed the vehicle in front of him suddenly swerve out of the number two lane, and the deputy sheriff noticed that the vehicle swerved to avoid colliding with Mejia-Morales' disabled vehicle that was stopped in the number two lane in front of him. The County contended that the deputy sheriff was unable to move out of the way before colliding with Mejia-Morales' vehicle, and the force of the collision caused the deputy sheriff's vehicle to deflect and strike other vehicles. A California Highway Patrol investigation concluded the deputy sheriff caused the initial and subsequent collisions by following the vehicle in front of him too closely, which left him insufficient time to react to Mejia-Morales' disabled vehicle, in violation of Vehicle Code Section 21703.

Injuries

Meza contended that he suffered a laceration on the top of his head and suffered from pain in his face, head, neck, and back due as a result of the collision. Mejia-Morales alleged he suffered pain in his neck, back, and knee as a result of the collision.

Result

The County of Los Angeles agreed to pay a total of $190,000 to settle plaintiffs' claims.

Other Information

Consolidated with: Arthuro Mejia-Morales v. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; Case Number BC681694; Filed Oct. 31, 2017.