Family of Wrong-Way Freeway Accident Gets $7 Million
The family of a Goleta man killed in a wrong-way freeway crash is getting $7 million from Verizon California as a result of a settlement agreement in the wrongful death lawsuit. The automobile accident occured when Verizon truck driver Mark William Selander was in the throes of a diabetic reaction and drove onto U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Barbara and headed in the wrong direction for eight miles. At that point he crahsed into 49-year-old Joe Vega's minivan killing him.
According to terms of the settlement agreement, Vega's widow Reyna gets $4 million, their two daughters each get $1 million and their two grandchildren each get $500,000. No amount of money will replace Mr. Vega but at least his surviving loved ones can get some money that may help them move past this. In many cases, the person responsible does not have much in the way of insurance so a large judgment which is collectable is not possible. Given all of the circumstances, they are at least fortunate that Verizon was capable of paying such a large amount.
