$49 million verdict: Texas trucking company and driver accused of violating hours-of-service before fatal crash
This week, a Texas jury awarded tens of millions of dollars to the family of a man killed in a crash with a semi truck in January of 2025.
Following a three-day trial in Ector County, Texas, a jury awarded $49 million to the family of Steffan Robert Mick, 29, according to a law firm representing the family.
Mick was killed in a crash in Midland, Texas, on January 27, 2025.
The jury found that Biorkys Sanchez Fernandez, driving a truck for Texas-based carrier OPG Logistics, LLC, caused the fatal crash when she failed to yield and made an unsafe left turn.
At 6:36 p.m., Sanchez was operating a Peterbilt truck westbound on FM 307 as Mick was driving a Chevrolet Suburban eastbound on FM 307.
Sanchez reportedly attempted to turn left across the lane near the I-20 North Service Road and struck the driver’s side of the Suburban.
Mick died at the scene. He left behind a wife and two children.
The Ammons Law Firm alleged violations of federal safety regulations were uncovered in the investigation.
“The evidence also showed that Sanchez had been driving for more than 12 hours and on duty more than 15 hours following her last eight consecutive hours off duty, exceeding applicable hours-of-service limits. Plaintiffs alleged that Sanchez falsified her Records of Duty Status, including the day before the fatal crash, and that OPG Logistics had access to electronic logging data and alerts that could have revealed hours-of-service violations before anyone was hurt.
Plaintiffs further alleged that OPG Logistics operated its fleet without basic safety infrastructure. According to the pleadings and trial evidence, OPG Logistics sent Sanchez and other drivers onto public roads under its USDOT number without a driver training manual, a safety manual, written safe-driving policies and procedures, instructional videos, third-party safety training, group safety meetings or periodic driver performance reviews. After the fatal crash, OPG Logistics issued a warning to Sanchez for failure to follow company protocols – even though the company had no written protocols – and then required safety training that it had not provided before the crash.“
“This jury rejected that and held OPG Logistics and its driver fully accountable,” lead attorney Rob Ammons said. “The evidence showed that this crash was not the result of one isolated mistake.”