HILLSBORO – Montgomery County jurors returned a verdict for farmer James Reynolds in December, finding he didn’t cause a collision between his grain truck and a Toyota Prius.
Plaintiffs Dylan and Amanda Kunkel had claimed damages around $1.5 million.
Attorneys John Cunningham and Jessica Holliday, both of Brown and James in Belleville, represented Reynolds.
Attorney Todd Nissenholtz of Clayton, Mo. represented the Kunkels.
The collision occurred on Route 16 in Litchfield in 2016.
Reynolds was 78 years old, Dylan was 25, and Amanda was 20.
Nissenholtz filed suit in 2018, claiming Reynolds drove at an excessive rate of speed and failed to keep a lookout, stop, swerve, or warn of his approach.
He claimed Dylan Kunkel sustained injuries to his head, back and neck.
He claimed Amanda sustained injuries to her head, abdomen, back and neck.
He claimed they would continue to suffer pain and anguish and their ability to function would be limited, impaired and diminished.
Cunningham and Holliday answered for Reynolds that any damages were due to Dylan Kunkel’s negligence.
They claimed he failed to use a turn signal, stopped in the roadway, and failed to exercise care for his safety.
They filed a counter claim against Dylan, to hold him liable for a share of any damages that a jury might award to Amanda.
Associate Judge Douglas Gruenke, former Clinton County state’s attorney, held trial from Nov. 29 to Dec. 2.
Jurors heard testimony that Dylan and Amanda needed disc replacements in their necks but hadn’t undergone surgery.
They also heard testimony that Dylan and Amanda suffered only strains and needed no surgery.
Jurors reached a verdict after deliberating for two hours.