June 16, 2010 – The Louisville Metro Government (LMG) has settled a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a 2006 accident where a police officer struck and killed a pedestrian who was filling his friend’s stranded vehicle with gas on I-64. The total amount of the settlement is $1.3 million, which will be divided among the deceased victim’s estate, the victim’s daughter, and 2 injured passengers who were in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
According to reports from the Courier-Journal, Louisville Metro Police Officer Kenten Measle was speeding as he drove to work on Oct. 7, 2006 when he struck and killed Donnie Puente, 37. The LMG has agreed to pay Puente’s family $800,000. Puente’s daughter, along with one of the injured passengers, received $525,000. The other injured passenger was awarded $10,500.
Experts believe that Measle was driving around 68 mph in a 55 mph area, and blamed “inattention and disregard of traffic” as contributing causes for the fatal car accident.
Measle was suspended without pay for 30 days and was forced to give up his take-home vehicle after the crash. Measle has been involved in other traffic disturbances while in his police cruiser both before and after this particular accident, including an incident in 2008 when he struck a bicyclist.
In cases where negligent behavior has played a role in your loved one’s death or serious injury, you may be entitled to compensation. A Louisville wrongful death lawyer from the Law Offices of Gray and White Law can speak to you about your specific case. Contact us today for a free case consultation – 1-888-450-4456.