Facts

On July 21, 2011, Joey Dellamora, 18, was a passenger in a vehicle being driven by defendant Leslie Olimpio. Olimpio was driving his vehicle on a dirt road on a Brussels sprout farm with Joey Dellamora, the son of the owner of the farm, as his passenger. Olimpio was driving at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to skid off a loose dirt and gravel road. Olimpio's vehicle then went down a steep brush embankment and crashed into a pond at the bottom of the embankment. Olimpio's vehicle then began to fill with water. Olimpio was able to extricate himself from his vehicle.

Joey Dellamora was unable to free himself from the vehicle and drowned while trapped inside the vehicle as it sank in the pond.

Joey's parents, Steve and Ann Dellamora, sued Olimpio for motor vehicle negligence.

CLAIMANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Claimants contended that Olimpio was driving at a high rate of speed when he lost control of the vehicle.

Settlement Discussions

Olimpio's insurance company tendered the policy limits of $15,000 and Farmers Insurance Company tendered $985,000 pursuant to the underinsured motorist coverage on Steve Dellamora's automobile policy.

Result

The case settled for $1 million.

Other Information

INSURER: Farmers Insurance Company.