Douglas County – After about three hours of deliberations today, a jury in Douglas County decided in favor of Missy Martin in her civil suit against Union Pacific Railroad.
Martin’s car was hit by a train after it stalled on the tracks at a Castle Rock crossing in November 2002.
The 19-year-old and her family have been awarded $6 million for future medical expenses and lost earnings, $4 million for punitive damages, $600,000 for past medical expenses, $350,000 for permanent impairment and $150,000 for pain and suffering.
Martin’s doctors say she’ll need lifelong medical care because of the accident.
Union Pacific’s attorneys blamed the actions of Martin’s former boyfriend for the collision. Vinny Veruchi tried to push Martin’s car across the tracks with his pickup after she stalled.
Union Pacific claimed Martin’s car wouldn’t have been hit if Veruchi hadn’t nudged it forward.
