$17 Million Awarded to Family of Crash Victims

    COLUMBIA, SC, May 20, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Case Number: 4:15-cv-02480-BHH, Attorneys L. Lisa McPherson and Melissa G. Mosier

$17 million was awarded by a jury in the United States District Court, Charleston Division, to the surviving family members of a young Canadian couple and their infant son, who were killed in a wreck on I-95 near Florence, South Carolina. On March 21, 2015, an 18-wheeler ran into the couple's Honda, completely destroying the vehicle and causing a massive fire.

Jeremiah Cross, Crystal Oickle, and their 7-month-old son, Graysen, were all killed in the crash. The truck also hit the vehicle of a Johnstown, Pennsylvania couple who were also killed. In all, five people lost their lives in the wreck.

"This is one of the most terrible car wrecks I have ever seen," said Attorney Melissa Mosier of McWhirter, Bellinger and Associates, lead attorney for Crystal Oickle. "The 18-wheeler completely destroyed our client's vehicle. There was nothing left."

The Plaintiffs sued the driver of the 18-wheeler, along with his employers XPO Logistics, Inc. and XPO Express, Inc. XPO is one of the top five largest trucking and logistics companies in the world. The investigation revealed that the driver of the 18-wheeler ignored multiple signs warning of road construction. Instead, he left the truck on cruise control at full highway speed, and never hit his brakes before slamming into the Plaintiffs. During the trial, there was evidence that showed the driver and his coworker tried to hide evidence related to alcohol use. After the crash, the driver refused to be tested for alcohol.

During the trial, it was also alleged that the trucking companies did not properly train and supervise the driver, and the company failed to make sure that the driver followed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and state laws.

"Nothing could ever replace the heartbreaking loss that our clients have suffered in losing their daughter, grandson and son-in-law," said Ms. Mosier, in response to the verdict. "but this verdict recognizes that their loss is very important."

The crash occurred as the Cross family was returning home to Canada from a vacation in Florida. Mr. Cross was a member of the Canadian Army and was on paternity leave at the time of the wreck.

"This tragic crash could have been avoided entirely if the driver were simply paying attention, and the trucking company had properly supervised and trained their driver," said Attorney Lisa McPherson, a member of the McWhirter, Bellinger and Associates trial team. "Large trucks like this one are extremely dangerous to the public on the roadways when the drivers do not follow the rules of the road and are not properly trained and supervised."

The trial of this case lasted for eight days, during which attorneys from McWhirter, Bellinger and Associates and the Joye Law Firm presented evidence, questioned witnesses and experts, and made opening and closing arguments to the jury. The McWhirter, Bellinger and Associates trial team is experienced in handling truck wrecks and other complex cases and has obtained many multi-million-dollar verdicts like this one. All cases are unique, and the result of any case depends on a variety of factors. The firm's past successes resolving other cases do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases as each case is decided on its own merits.

ABOUT MCWHIRTER, BELLINGER AND ASSOCIATES, P.A.
McWhirter, Bellinger and Associates, P.A., is a leading personal injury and workers' compensation law firm based in South Carolina. With offices in Columbia, Lexington, Sumter, Orangeburg, Camden, Newberry, and Aiken, McWhirter, Bellinger and Associates has a state-wide practice and has received many national and local awards for the practice of law. During its 45-year history, the firm has developed an excellent reputation and has a proven track record of substantial results for its clients.

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