102717judge-and-gavel

MOTOR VEHICLE

PALM BEACH CIRCUIT COURT A jury exonerated a tractor-trailer driver for his involvement in a fatal accident on U.S. Highway 27 near South Bay on Aug. 29, 2016.

The suit was filed by the estate of Cody Bunning, who was traveling in the opposite direction when he  unintentionally crossed the median due to a mechanical malfunction. His vehicle was struck by the rural Miami nursery rig, and he suffered a fatal injury. Bunning's estate alleged the Urra Nursery Inc.  driver should have seen Bunning's vehicle and avoided the collision.

The defense's expert engineer said the rig would have jackknifed if its driver reacted sooner and braked aggressively. The jury decided that the truck driver was not liable for the collision.

Case: Tammy Lynn Buntingt v. Urra Nursery

Case No.: 50-2016-CA-012629-XXXX-MB

Plaintiffs attorneys: Marci Ball Elordi, Jason A. McIntosh and Scott B. Smith, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, West Palm Beach

Defense attorneys: Howard L. Citron, Julie A. Herzlich and Karissa L. Owens, Rissman, Barrett, Hurt, Donahue, McLain & Mangan, Fort Lauderdale