Te-Hsi Chang, et al. vs. Marco Antonio Luevano, et al.

Case Background

Plaintiffs Te-Hsi Chang, individually and as Successor-in-Interest to the Estate of Chen Hsueh Chang; Yi-Chuan Chang, individually; and Chia-Yen Chang, individually (referred to as "Ms. Chang," "Ms. Y-C Chang," and "Ms. C-Y Chang," respectively, or collectively as "Plaintiffs") filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging negligence, against Marco Antonio Luevano and J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. (referred to as "Mr. Luevano" and "J.B. Hunt," respectively, or collectively as "Defendants") and Does 1 through 10, inclusive. The case was filed in the California Superior Court, Los Angeles County. Judges Frederick C. Shaller, Anne Hwang, and Michael E. Whitaker presided over this case. [Case number: 20STCV46227]

Cause

This case involves the tragic and preventable death of Chen Hsueh Chang, who was struck by a tractor-trailer operated for J.B. Hunt on February 14, 2019. Ms. Chang was simply crossing the street on her way to work when the incident occurred. Due to the reckless and negligent actions of the driver, Mr. Luevano, and J.B. Hunt, she became trapped under the rear tires of the 30,000-pound trailer. Mr. Luevano failed to stop the tractor-trailer after hitting Ms. Chang. Instead, he continued driving, dragging her body for nearly an entire block. It took a bystander to alert him before he finally stopped the vehicle. Only then did the horrific ordeal come to an end.

Injury

By 4:58 A.M. on February 14, 2019, an ambulance arrived at the scene of the accident. Emergency responders transported Ms. Chang to LAC+USC Medical Center for treatment. At the hospital, doctors diagnosed Ms. Chang with numerous critical injuries. These included a partial amputation of her left leg at the knee, fractures in both femurs, multiple pelvic and lumbar vertebrae fractures, and severe damage to internal organs. She also suffered a collapsed lung, traumatic shock, acute respiratory failure, kidney failure, sepsis, and other life-threatening complications. The injuries stemmed from the severe trauma caused by the truck collision. To save her life, Ms. Chang underwent mult