Arkansas Jury Awards $7M in Fatal Truck Accident

A federal jury has awarded a $7 million judgment to the family of a Farmington, Mo., truck driver killed when his vehicle collided with another semi-truck in northern Arkansas.

The panel in western Arkansas found Thursday in favor of Roger Reagan’s family, which sued Dunaway Timber Co. and its driver, Morgan Quisenberry.

Maverick Transportation, which employed Reagan, also sued because of damage to the truck, and was awarded $93,000, Kent Emison, an attorney for Reagan’s family, said Friday.

According to the lawsuit, Quisenberry’s truck was headed west on U.S. Highway 62 near Yellville on Sept. 3, 2008, when it crossed into the eastbound lanes and collided with Reagan’s truck.

Quisenberry drove longer than U.S. Department of Transportation rules allowed and was fatigued, Emison said.

“The driver had inadequate experience and had a horrible driving record,” Emison, of Kansas City, Mo., said by telephone. “I think the most significant thing about the case is that driving while fatigued or tired is just as dangerous as driving under the influence.”

The timber company’s attorneys, listed in court records as Richard Holiman and Gil Rogers, didn’t immediately return messages left Friday seeking comment.

A man who answered the phone at Dunaway Timber, based ub Fordsville, Ky., said the company would have no comment. A telephone listing for Quisenberry in Olaton, Ky., was disconnected.