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    • COMMUNITY

    JURY AWARDS $3M IN LAWSUIT

    By WILLIAM SNOWDEN Editor

    On Dec. 6, 2018, at around 5:30 in the morning, Stephen Berry was driving north on Woodville Highway on his way to work at Wakulla Correctional Institute. He crashed into the back of a Waste Pro garbage truck and was killed.
    Last week, after a four-day trial, a six-person jury awarded Berry’s estate, which includes his now 6-year-old son, $3 million in damages. The jury found Waste Pro was 60% at fault for the wreck and Berry, who was driving 62 mph in a 55 mph zone, was 40% at fault.
    It appears to be the largest jury verdict awarded in a civil lawsuit in Wakulla County.
    Berry’s estate was represented in the case by attorney Allen McConnaughhay of the Tallahassee law firm of Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay. McConnaughhay contended the Waste Pro garbage truck was blocking the road and its brake lights didn’t work.
    Waste Pro was represented by Tampa attorney William Smoak, who noted the truck had its yellow flashers on, as required by law.
    Wakulla Circuit Judge Layne Smith presided over the trial.