An attorney for the family of a New Mexico woman who died in 2002 when a tractor-trailer struck her car and buried it in sand says he hopes an $80 million judgment awarded to his clients will result in real consequences for trucking companies.
District Judge Shannon Bacon entered the judgment Monday to the estate of 48-year-old Laura Miera of Albuquerque and her husband and daughter. It includes $60 million in punitive damages against Albuquerque Redi-Mix and others.
Attorney Jacob Vigil says he hopes the case results in real consequences and highlights chronic problems with keeping the nation's roadways safe.
Miera had just dropped off her daughter at school when the semi hit her vehicle. Miera was pinned in her car while sand poured on her.
Counselors, teachers and students on their way to the school frantically tried to dig her out.
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