Local News in Brief : Rock Singer Settles Suit Over Auto Accident for $4 Million

Former rock singer Jerry Naylor settled a lawsuit Wednesday for $4.2 million for injuries he suffered in a 1982 auto accident a block from his Agoura home.

The out-of-court settlement was reached as Naylor, 46, prepared for a trial scheduled to begin Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Naylor, one-time lead singer of the Crickets, the Buddy Holly group, now works as a private film and video producer. His most recent venture has been the production of a rock-style video for the State of California that shows teen-agers how to get jobs.

He suffered a broken back in the accident on Aug. 20, 1982. His suit alleged that the crash occurred when a car driven by Brian Craig Lee, then 18, of Woodland Hills broadsided him as Lee reached for a cassette tape.

The crash briefly paralyzed Naylor. He is expected to remain bedridden through the end of this year while recovering from the latest of five operations to repair spinal damage.

Under the agreement, payments will be spread over 30 years. Two East Coast insurance companies will pay the settlement, Naylor’s lawyer said. Lee was heavily insured through his father’s moving and storage business, Naylor said.

“It’s a relief not to face the trial,” Naylor said. “I’ve been living the life of an eggshell for the past two years because of these operations.”