Trial News

Christopher Prewitt, a father and husband who worked as a school vice principal, was jogging early one morning on the shoulder of a local roadway when Shante Chappell’s vehicle struck and killed him. Chappell was driving under the influence of marijuana and Xanax at the time of the incident. 

Prewitt’s wife and minor daughter, through a guardian, sued Chappell for wrongful death.

The jury awarded $20 million, including $996,100 in punitive damages. The award includes more than $2 million in economic damages.

Citation: Prewitt v. Chappell, No. 56-2015-00472997-CU-PO-VTA (Cal. Super. Ct. Ventura Cnty. Mar. 27, 2019).

Plaintiff counsel: Trevor Quirk and Aletheia Gooden, both of Ventura, Calif.