Millions Awarded To Officer, Motorist Injured In Crash

VENTURA (AP) — A Ventura County jury has awarded more than $49 million in a lawsuit stemming from a freeway accident that killed one man and left a California Highway Patrol officer a quadriplegic.

Jurors on Tuesday awarded $39 million in damages to CHP Officer Anthony Pedeferri and his wife for paralyzing injuries Pedeferri suffered in the December 2007 crash, according to a Los Angeles Times report.

Pedeferri had pulled over motorist Andres Parra on U.S. Highway 101 north of Ventura when a man driving a truck slammed into them, killing Parra.

Jurors awarded Parra's parents $10.2 million for the loss of their son.

The truck driver pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and transporting marijuana. He was sentenced in 2008 to 15 years in prison.

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