Council OKs Payout in ’98 Freeway Crash
The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday approved a $200,000 settlement for one of several motorists injured when a city maintenance truck slammed into cars on the Hollywood Freeway two years ago.
Colin Rock, 39, was driving southbound on the Hollywood Freeway near Universal Center Drive on March 5, 1998, when he was struck by a city 4-ton crane truck. Rock was the first motorist hit by the truck. Another motorist was killed and a woman was permanently disabled.
Investigators believe the driver of the city truck fell asleep.
The truck crossed several lanes, plowing through the center divider, striking several cars and killing the driver of a van.
In January, the City Council approved its largest personal injury settlement--$19 million--to Carol Adkins, who was permanently disabled when the truck landed on her car. Adkins is in a “post-comative” condition.
Rock suffered back and shoulder injuries and underwent shoulder surgery. He was unable to return to his job as a grocery store stockman, Deputy City Atty. Anthony Miera said.
Rock will receive $175,000, and his wife, Lourdes, $25,000. Neither Rock nor his attorney could be reached for comment.
The crash has resulted in more than $21 million in settlements, Miera said. The cases of two additional motorists are pending.
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