A jury in Harris County, Texas has awarded $11 million to the family of a man killed when his vehicle collided with an overturned commercial truck. According to attorneys, Dan Rhodes was killed when the vehicle he was driving crashed into the overturned truck on a two-lane east Texas highway on October 26, 2011. The owners of the truck, X-Chem and NCH Corp. were found negligent in their responsibilities and supervision of the unidentified truck driver, who was not in compliance for both internal and Department of Transportation training.
Rhodes owned a sawmill and was also a minister in Nacogdoches, Texas. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, as well as a son and daughter.
According to testimony, it wasn’t the first time the truck driver had overturned a commercial truck, although no one was killed or injured in the earlier accident.
Attorneys Steven Kherkher and Jim Hart from the Williams Kherkher Hart Boundas, LLP law firm represented the victim’s family. “This was such a tragedy,” said Jim Hart, “and we were able to effectively focus the jury on the facts. The actions and inactions of X-Chem and NCH took the life of a great man and fantastic family man.” “This jury showed a lot of courage, and made a well thought out decision,” said Steve Kherkher. “They were able to put themselves at the scene, and were able to empathize with the family of Mr. Rhodes.” Rhodes’ widow, Jan, expressed her gratitude to the attorneys. She said, “They did a great job trying the case – my husband would be proud.”
The case was tried in front of Judge Mike Miller of the 11th District Court in Harris Co., TX, Cause No. 2012-23019, Rhodes v. X-Chem and NCH Corporation.
