City Denies Claims Blaming Road, Sprinkler in Teens’ Crash

Newport Beach officials have rejected claims filed by four teenagers who were injured after they packed into a sport-utility vehicle that flipped while speeding last May on Irvine Avenue.

A fifth claim filed later is still pending, City Manager Kevin J. Murphy said Tuesday.

“We feel the city of Newport Beach does not have any liability in this case,” Murphy said.

Sharp curves, improper road banking and a defective sprinkler system contributed to the May 23 wreck, according to the claims filed on behalf of the four teens, all students at Newport Harbor High School.

The crash killed 18-year-old Donnie Bridgman and left two other teens with long-term injuries. One of them is Amanda Arthur, 18, who was in a coma for nearly three months. She is now recovering and was recently chosen as the high school’s homecoming queen.

The claims were reviewed by the city’s risk manager, claims adjuster and attorney, who all recommended denying them. Murphy said the majority of claims against the city, whether for property damage or personal injury, are rejected.

The four injured teens, their families and lawyers now have six months to decide whether to sue the city in Orange County Superior Court, Murphy said.

An attorney and members of Arthur’s family did not return calls Tuesday seeking comment.

The rejected claims were filed by Arthur; Kevy McNeill, 17; William Watson, 18; and Daniel Townsend, 18. Still pending is a claim by Heidi Funderburk.

The claims did not specify amounts being sought as compensation.

Such action against a municipality is part of the standard procedure in complicated insurance and legal considerations before lawsuits are filed.