Huntington Beach prevails in motorist’s $10-million lawsuit over 2011 crash involving police officer
The city of Huntington Beach has prevailed in a lawsuit filed by a motorist seeking $10 million in damages after she said she was injured when a police car slammed into her vehicle in 2011.
After a three-week civil trial and nearly two days of deliberations, an Orange County Superior Court jury Thursday found that Huntington Beach police Officer William Brownlee was not at fault in the crash, which occurred at the intersection of Newland Street and Atlanta Avenue at about 1 a.m. Oct. 2, 2011.
City Attorney Michael Gates applauded the verdict, noting that he has emphasized taking cases filed against the city to trial rather than settling.
“It is in the best interest of the taxpayer and a win for the citizens of Huntington Beach to have this kind of outcome and not settle and pay out on cases like this,” Gates said Friday.
Sunny Kang filed suit against the city in 2013, saying that she was driving north on Atlanta Avenue when she entered the intersection at Newland Street on a green light and was struck by the patrol car.
The lawsuit states she suffered significant injuries to her head, neck, shoulders, chest, back, left arm, left hand, left knee and right hip.
Gates said Brownlee was in his patrol car responding to a call, without lights or siren, when he approached the intersection. Just before entering the intersection on a green light, he glanced down at the computer in his vehicle to confirm an address, Gates said.
According to Gates, the front end of Brownlee’s patrol car hit Kang’s driver’s side rear panel at 38 mph.
The city argued during the trial that the light wouldn’t have had time to change from green to red before the officer entered the intersection.
“It’s very rewarding to defend police officers and achieve these kind of victories for them,” Gates said.
Kang’s attorney Ryan Casey said, “We are presently evaluating the case and considering all available remedies for our client.”
Twitter: @HannahFryTCN
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