Jury assigns 50% of u-turn crash blame to truck driver and motorist in million dollar decision

A jury assigned 50% of the blame for a u-turn crash on both the truck driver and motorist in a verdict that will leave the motorist with $1 million. 

The crash happened in 2023 near Gainesville, Florida on US Highway 301. 

According to Courtroom View Network, truck driver Gregory Streater was making a u-turn after missing his exit, causing him to partially block the roadway. Motorist Charles Thomas then crashed into the tractor trailer, leaving him with broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. 

Thomas argued that Streater was negligent in attempting the u-turn, and presented evidence that Streater was violating multiple traffic laws with the u-turn. 

“And that’s what makes this decision so unreasonable. That’s what’s negligence is, folks: doing something that is unreasonable,” said Thomas’ defense. 

Streater’s defense argued that Thomas caused the wreck by failing to brake in time to avoid a collision. Evidence was presented showing that Thomas should have seen the illuminated lights of the braking trailer for eight seconds before the collision. Thomas did not brake until one full second before the collision. 

“If you have time to see it, you have time to avoid it. End of story,” Streater’s defense said. 

The jury initially awarded more than $1.3 million in damages for medical expenses for Thomas and $700,000 for non-economic damages. However, the jury also appointed each driver with 50% of the blame for the accident, so that award amount will be severely reduced as a result. It is unclear exactly how much Thomas will be awarded.