$32M Verdict for Truck Driver on Marijuana Who Killed Nurse

Congratulations to Louisville, KY Personal Injury Attorney Steve Romines for turning down all settlement offers.

Personal Injury Attorney Steve Romines said Atlas Excavating hired dump truck driver, Eric D. Jenkins, without a pre-employment drug screen, as required under federal law.

The truck driver caused a crash while driving a dump truck on Sept. 7, 2012. The dump truck hit Nurse Marie Garmon head-on causing a broken leg and hip and killing her. Nurse Marie Garmon, 43, died five days later.

When tests showed he had marijuana in his bloodstream, the truck driver was charged with murder and DUI. He pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to six years in prison.

In the personal injury trial, the Anderson County, KY jury gave a verdict of $32 million against the driver and his employer, including $5 million for pain and suffering and $10 million in punitive damages.

Attorney Romines said “We wanted a trial” and the Garmons turned down all offers to settle. Attorney Romines asked the jury to send a message to trucking companies that breaking the law is not worth the risk.