2003Vega v. Looker, Virginia Beach Circuit Court (2003)
Mrs. Vega, 41, was a passenger in a minivan. As the van entered an intersection, a sport-utility vehicle ran a red light, striking the van, and killed Mrs. Vega. She is survived by two adult children and one minor child. A hotel housekeeper who had earned approximately $25,000 annually, she had also been studying to be a chef’s assistant and had been attending beauty school. Her future lost earnings are estimated at between $650,000 and $780,000. Her medical expenses were approximately $330,000. The defendant was criminally indicted for driving under the influence and plead guilty to a charge of vehicular manslaughter. The parties settled the case before trial for $1.2 million.