A Monterey County jury awarded more than $18.8 million to a Rhode Island woman who was struck by a state vehicle in a crosswalk at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
Wednesday’s verdict holds the state of California responsible for negligently training and supervising a state park docent who was driving a vehicle that hit Helen Anthony at a little after 9 a.m. on June 10, 2023, while she was walking in a marked pedestrian crosswalk according to Anthony’s attorney. Anthony was 63 at the time.
Jurors rejected the state’s argument that it was not responsible because the driver was a volunteer. The jury determined the docent was acting as an employee of the state and found that the state’s failure to properly train and supervise him was a substantial factor in causing the incident according to Anthony’s attorney.
Anthony suffered several injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding and more than 20 broken ribs. According to her attorney, Roger Dreyer, she also suffered injuries to her face, jaw and spine. She underwent emergency surgery and has spent more than two years recovering.
“She suffered a horrific brain injury and all sorts of physical injuries,” Dreyer said. “It’s not a reward. It’s a determination by the jury as to what is fair and reasonable compensation for her injuries.”
Anthony, a former Providence, Rhode Island City Council member and practicing attorney, was visiting Monterey County at the time of the incident. As a result of her injuries, she was forced to retire from practicing law and resign her elected position, Dreyer said.
The trial lasted about a month. Jurors were first asked to decide whether the docent was effectively an employee of the state for legal purposes and whether the state failed to properly train and supervise him. The jury found in favor of Anthony on both questions before determining damages.
“You can’t claim someone’s a volunteer and that you’re not responsible for him when you tell him what to do, you provide him a vehicle to operate, and you’re responsible for training them,” Dreyer said.
Evidence presented at trial showed the state had offered $50,000 to settle the case.
Dreyer said the verdict has broader implications for the state park system and its use of volunteer docents.
“The jury found that the state failed to properly train and supervise this individual, and that failure resulted in devastating, lifelong consequences,” Dreyer said. “Public safety inside our state parks matters to every Californian.”
In a statement, the California State Parks department apologized to Anthony, expressing its “sincere and deepest sympathy” to her and her family for the injuries she incurred at the reserve. The state agency noted that the collision involving Anthony was an outlier in the services of its volunteers.
“The department is evaluating its legal options following this ruling,” the statement continued. “State Parks is thankful for the thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to the nation’s largest state park system, and this unfortunate accident doesn’t diminish our appreciation for our docents and volunteers.”
The San Jose Mercury News contributed to this report.
