Girl run over by semi while crossing the street
Driver said he never saw her
$5 million settlement
A 14 year-old girl who was run over by a semi truck in Independence, Mo., received a $5 million settlement by the trucking company and driver.
On July 21, 2003, Sarah Barreto was walking her bicycle across the intersection of Noland Road and 23rd Street in Independence, when Robby Brown, an employee of Recovery Management Corporation, d/b/a Cargo Largo, made a right turn on a red light.
Brown claimed he never saw Barreto at any time during his approach to the intersection and ran over her with his tractor-trailer. He said he never realized he had run over her until he heard witnesses screaming to stop the truck.
Witnesses from all lanes testified to seeing her approach and cross the intersection in the crosswalk.
The parties agreed Barreto was crossing on a red light and the semi was turning on a red light.
Barreto's pelvis was crushed with extensive injuries to her abdominal and lower pelvic areas. Her left ankle was broken and she had severe nerve damage to her left foot causing a "drop foot."
Barreto had undergone numerous lengthy surgeries. She will endure more surgeries, need several hip replacements and will have to undergo several years of psychotherapy.
Recovery Management Corporation, an Independence based company, agreed to settle the case two weeks prior to trial for $5 million dollars.
Facts of the case
Type of Action: Personal injury
Type of Injuries: Crushed pelvis, extensive abdominal injuries, broken left ankle, nerve damage to left foot
Court/Case Number/Date: Jackson County Court /Division 2/03CV222764/ Aug. 29, 2005
Caption: Barreto v. Recovery Management Corp, et al
Judge, Jury or ADR: Judge
Name of Judge: Michael Manners
Verdict/Settlement: $5 million settlement
Special Damages: N/A
Allocation of Fault: N/A
Last offer: N/A
Last demand: N/A
Attorneys for Plaintiffs: J. Kent Emison and Daniel Allen, of Langdon & Emison in Lexington, Mo., and Gary M. Mouse, of Independence, Mo.
Insurance carrier: Travelers Property Casualty Insurance, United National Group, Liberty Mutual
Plaintiff's Experts: Bruno Schmidt (accident reconstruction)Springfield, Mo.; Kenneth Thompson (trucking) Louisburg, Kan.; Dr. John Ward (economist) Prairie Village, Kan.; Sheryl Bunce (life care planner) Prairie Village, Kan.
Defendant's Experts: Dr. Steven Hendler (rehab medicine) Olathe, Kan.; Steve McKinzie (reconstruction) Leawood, Kan.
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