The family of a 75-year-old Texas man, who was killed in a 2021 crash involving a Houston Police Department (HPD) officer, was awarded $13 million by a jury.
The civil case involved the City of Houston and the HPD, as well as the family of the victim, Charles Payne. His wife, Harriet Payne, said that she knows her husband is looking down and knows that they fought and never gave up.
Family Awarded $13 Million Over Deadly 2021 Crash
At the time of the incident, the 75-year-old man's car was struck by a police car that was driven by HPD Officer Christopher Cabrera. A lawsuit by Payne's family claims that the officer was speeding when he crashed into the victim's vehicle.
An investigation into the incident found that Cabrera was going 70 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone. The jury in the civil case decided that the city's lax policies on how fast officers can speed ultimately led to the old man's death, according to ABC13.
Jurors asked several questions about testimony during deliberations, which lasted for days before they came to a verdict on Monday afternoon. The jury foreman, Sean Churchill, said that the Wayne family hopefully finds peace with their decision and can be comforted that someone was held responsible for the tragedy.
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He added that he hopes the city looks at the incident and its facts to get up and make and implement changes to help all citizens. Lawyers representing the Wayne family called the verdict a "watershed moment."
Paul Grinke, the victim's attorney, said that the development is bigger than just the city of Houston, adding that police departments across the United States require officers to follow posted speed limits when they are not responding to an emergency, Fox26 Houston reported.
Justice Demands Accountability
The family's attorneys added that the case highlights the importance of holding law enforcement accountable when their actions behind the wheel cross the line from duty to danger. They added that the trial was not only for justice for the 75-year-old man, but for the prevention of future tragedies.
Attorney Ben Crump said that Charles' life was suddenly taken in an instant by conduct that he said "no community should accept as routine." He added that when the people who are sworn to protect the public act recklessly and take someone's life, justice demands accountability.
The jury that handled the case awarded the Payne family $13 million for mental anguish and loss of companionship. It would go to Harriet and their seven children, as per the Houston Chronicle.
