Ex-trucker wins $1.25M over leg lost during row among truckers

10/4/2008

BOWLING GREEN - A former truck driver who lost part of his leg when he was run over by a tractor-trailer was awarded $1.25 million in damages yesterday by a jury in Wood County Common Pleas Court.

After deliberating about 2 1/2 hours, the jury found that Continental Express Inc. of Little Rock was responsible for the actions of its employee, Raymond J. Blake, when Mr. Blake drove his rig over the leg of Sean McMahon, 37.

The incident took place at the Stony Ridge Inn Truck Stop in Lake Township in April, 2002.

"We're pleased with the jury verdict," said Toledo attorney Michael Bruno, who represented Mr. McMahon. "It's been 6 1/2 years that we've waited for this, and we have to say that we're very thankful the jurors paid close attention to the regulations governing truck drivers as well as the company manual governing truck drivers."

Mr. McMahon, who now lives in Park Rapids, Minn., had gone to help another trucker, who had gotten into an argument with Mr. Blake.

Mr. Blake tried to run over the man with his rig and ultimately drove over Mr. McMahon's right leg, which had to be amputated below his knee.