Dara Harris, individually, and as representative of the Estate of Robert Buntyn, et al vs. Newkirk Logistics, Inc. et al

Case Background

On December 10, 2021, Plaintiff Dara Harris and Bryan Buntyn filed a Wrongful Death lawsuit in the Texas State, County Court of Dallas County (Case number: CC-21-05418-A). Judge D'Metria Benson presided over the case.

Cause

On the night of September 2, 2021, at approximately 10:00 PM, a fatal traffic incident occurred on Highway 635 near the 121 interchange in Dallas County, Texas. Desiree Raishon Boyd, an employee of Newkirk Logistics, Inc., was driving a tractor-trailer westbound on the highway. During her journey, Boyd encountered a mechanical problem that forced her to bring the tractor-trailer to a complete stop in the active lanes of traffic. Despite the hazardous situation created by the stationary vehicle on a busy highway, Boyd failed to take appropriate safety measures. She did not deploy emergency flares or reflective warning triangles to alert approaching drivers of the danger ahead. At the same time, Robert Buntyn was traveling westbound on Highway 635, having just left his family's business, where he had been working that evening. Unaware of the stopped tractor-trailer, Buntyn’s vehicle collided with the rear of Boyd’s truck. The impact was severe, resulting in Buntyn’s immediate death at the scene.

Injuries

Robert Buntyn sustained catastrophic injuries in the collision with the stopped tractor-trailer. The force of the impact caused severe trauma to multiple parts of his body, leading to his death. Although the legal documents did not provide exact details of his injuries, they were clearly fatal, robbing Buntyn of his life and depriving his family of a beloved son.

Damages

The plaintiffs, Dara Harris (Robert Buntyn’s mother) and Bryan