Mike Crane, et al vs. Liberty Lane, Llc et al

Case Background

On March 25, 2019, Plaintiff  Mike Crane, as the next friend of minor D.J.M. filed a Wrongful death lawsuit in the District Court, Texas Southern, Corpus Christi Division (Case number: 2:19cv94). Judge David S Morales presided over the case.

Cause

A catastrophic collision occurred on December 26, 2018, on State Highway 202 in Bee County, Texas. Satnam Singh Lehal, who operated a tractor-trailer owned by OK Trans Inc. (DBA OK Transport), crossed into the oncoming traffic lane. His vehicle crashed directly into a pickup truck driven by Lyndon Dean Meyer. The impact proved fatal for Meyer. Lehal operated the tractor-trailer as an employee and agent of OK Trans Inc., performing his duties within the scope of his employment when the crash occurred. The California-based transportation company, OK Trans Inc., regularly conducted business operations in Texas at the time of the incident.

Injuries

The collision inflicted severe trauma on Lyndon Dean Meyer. He endured conscious pain and suffering for an undisclosed period before succumbing to his injuries. Medical evidence confirmed that Meyer remained alive and conscious after the initial impact, experiencing significant physical and emotional distress before his death. The trauma from the commercial vehicle collision ultimately caused Meyer’s death, though he did not die instantly at the scene.

Damages

The fatal collision created devastating ripple effects across Meyer’s family. His minor child, D.J.M., suffered profound losses that extended far beyond financial harm. The child lost vital parental guidance, including daily care, maintenance, support, and crucial life counsel. The crash destroyed the essential parent-child bond, depriving D.J.M. of a father’s love, affection, comfort, companionship, and emotional support. The child experienced severe mental depression, deep anguish, and ongoing grief. The death also eliminated D.J.M.’s future inheritance prospects.

Meyer’s parents, Lavon Beth Meyer and Lee Allen Meyer, endured their own devastating losses. The crash robbed them of their son’s care, support, and companionship. They lost the comfort of his presence, his practical assistance, and his emotional support. The sudden, violent nature of his death inflicted severe emotional trauma on his parents, causing persistent mental anguish, depression, and grief that continued long after the incident.

The estate of Lyndon Dean Meyer incurred substantial financial burdens, including medical expenses for attempted life-saving measures, funeral costs, and compensation for Meyer’s conscious pain and suffering before death. The estate, represented by Lee Allen Meyer as executor, pursued these damages to address the financial impact of the fatal collision.

They sought comprehensive damages that exceeded the court’s minimum jurisdictional limits in a Wrongful death lawsuit. Their demand included pre-judgment interest, all court costs, and any additional relief the law entitled them to receive.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Mike Crane, as next friend of minor D.J.M. | Lavon Beth Meyer | Lee Allen Meyer, Individually and as Representative of the Estate of Lyndon Dean Meyer
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Darrin M. Walker| James W. Cole | Peter J. Kestner | Byron A. Haney | Eric Trayce Penn
    • Experts for Plaintiff(s): Philip Smith
  • Defendant(s):OK Transport | Satnam Singh Lehal | Liberty Commercial, LLC | Liberty Lane LLC | Penske Logistics L.L.C., d/b/a Transfreight | Penske Transportation Management, L.L.C. | Penske Logistics LLC
    • Counsel for Defendants: Larry J. Goldman| Justin Todd Woods | Robert R. Stearns | Vincent Paul Vasquez | Brian James Cathey | Jessica Z. Barger | Landon J. Francois | Michael F. Aguilar | Matthew Wayne Childs | Robin B. Brzozowski | Nicholas J. Lanza | James Walter Goldsmith, Jr. | Stewart Kimball Schmella | Harry M. Byrne  | James H. Steigerwald | Jeffrey S. Pollack | Robert L. Klawetter | Robert Langdon Ramey  | Christina K. Schovajsa
    • Experts for Defendant(s): Kelley S. Adamson, M.E., P.E | Marc Fazioli | Lane VanIngen

 Claims

The plaintiffs constructed their Wrongful death lawsuit on multiple legal foundations. They asserted that OK Trans Inc. demonstrated negligence by hiring Lehal despite red flags that should have disqualified him. The company knowingly entrusted their commercial vehicle to a driver whose competence they should have questioned. Evidence indicated that Lehal operated the tractor-trailer while experiencing medical impairment, a condition OK Trans Inc. either knew about or should have discovered through proper screening.

The legal doctrine of respondeat superior placed additional liability on OK Trans Inc. Since Lehal caused the crash while performing his assigned duties, the company bore responsibility for his actions. The plaintiffs also pursued gross negligence claims, arguing that both defendants showed conscious disregard for public safety. They operated with awareness of extreme risks yet proceeded with indifference to the potential consequences.

Defense

The defendants, acknowledged the basic jurisdictional and venue elements of the case. They admitted the plaintiffs’ residency in Goliad County, Texas, and confirmed OK Trans Inc.’s status as a California corporation conducting business in Texas. They also accepted the court’s jurisdiction based on diversity and the minimum amount in controversy requirements.

However, the defendants took a firm opposing stance on all substantive allegations mentioned in a Wrongful death lawsuit. They denied the application of the respondeat superior doctrine, rejecting the claim that Lehal acted as an agent, servant, or employee within the scope of employment for OK Trans Inc. at the time of the incident. This denial challenged the foundational argument that would have made OK Trans Inc. vicariously liable for Lehal’s actions.

The defense disputed all factual allegations regarding the December 26, 2018 collision. They denied the plaintiffs’ version of events, including the claim that their tractor-trailer crossed into oncoming traffic on State Highway 202. They rejected all claims of negligence, negligent hiring, and negligent entrustment. The defense specifically contested the allegations about Lehal’s medical impairment and OK Trans Inc.’s knowledge of any such impairment.

The defendants strongly opposed the gross negligence claims. They denied that their actions involved an extreme degree of risk or showed conscious indifference to others’ safety. They rejected the assertion that they had subjective awareness of risks but proceeded anyway.

Regarding damages, the defense denied all claims for compensation. They contested the alleged damages suffered by D.J.M. (the minor child), including loss of parental care, emotional support, and inheritance. They similarly denied the damage claims brought by Lavon Beth Meyer and Lee Allen Meyer for their losses as parents. The defense also rejected claims for Lyndon Dean Meyer’s conscious pain and suffering before death, along with associated medical and funeral expenses.

Expert Witness

The Plaintiff’s expert opined that Mr. Lehal drove negligently on the day of the crash, operating his commercial vehicle at an unsafe speed on a rainy, slick highway with an empty trailer. This caused him to lose control, cross the centerline, and collide with an oncoming vehicle, in violation of FMCSR parts 392.2 and 392.14.

On the other hand, Defendant’s experts  Kelley S. Adamson, M.E., P.E., testified regarding the cause and mechanisms of the accident, specifically addressing the collision’s impact and the conditions of the vehicles involved. Lane VanIngen concluded that Penske Transportation Management LLC acted solely as a freight broker for Tesla seats transported from Laredo, Texas, to Newark, California, on December 26, 2018, without assuming motor carrier responsibilities, as Penske did not intend to physically take possession of the load. Marc Fazioli analyzed the GPS data used by Plaintiffs’ expert, Philip Smith, attesting to its reliability and providing expert interpretation of the underlying data, as detailed in his affidavit and supporting materials.

Jury Verdict

On October 25, 2024, the jury found both Lehal and TXDOT negligent, determining their actions were proximate causes of Meyer’s death. They allocated 70% of the responsibility to Lehal and 30% to TXDOT, establishing clear liability for the fatal incident.

The jury awarded substantial damages to the Meyer family. Daylon Meyer, who suffered the deepest impact as the deceased’s child, received the largest compensation. The jury awarded him $5 million for past loss of companionship and society, another $5 million for future losses, $500,000 for past mental anguish, and $500,000 for future mental anguish, totaling $11 million.

The jury awarded identical amounts to the parents, Lavon Beth Meyer and Lee Allen Meyer. They each received $50,000 for past loss of companionship and society, $50,000 for future losses, $50,000 for past mental anguish, and $50,000 for future mental anguish, totaling $200,000 each. The total damages awarded by the jury amounted to $11.4 million in a Wrongful death lawsuit.