The parent company of a Canadian charter bus and a commercial truck agreed to settle a lawsuit for $36 million for a 2005 truck accident in New York, according to the Washington Post. Four died and 19 injured in the collision. The bus was carrying a youth hockey team from Canada on Interstate 30 near Rochester when it collided with a semi truck on the side of the highway.
Richard Edwards, 46, coach of the women’s hockey team, and his 13-year-old son Brian died at the scene. Two others died and 19 sustained injuries ranging from traumatic brain injuries and broken bones to post-traumatic stress disorder.
The insurance company for the charter bus covered about 2/3 of the settlement, and the trucking company covered the rest.
“There was going to be one trial after another until they were all done,” said attorney Glenn Pezzulo, who represents the trucking company.
The truck driver, Ryan Comfort, 24, did not face any criminal charges. Witnesses claimed he drove erratically prior to the collision. He pleaded guilty to only a logbook violation. Police suspect driver fatigue and inexperience may have been factors.
Spevack Law Firm—Middlesex County truck accident attorneys.