Families Awarded Millions In 2013 Casino Charter Bus Crash
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DALLAS COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - A jury awarded two North Texas families $10.9 million for the April 2013 Choctaw Casino charter bus crash that killed two of of their loved ones as well as one other person and injured dozens more.
Alice Stanley, 83, and Paula Hahn, 69, were on the charter bus when it crashed in Irving.
In handing out the award, the jury decided the Choctaw Nation bore responsibility for the safety of the passengers.
According to the plaintiff's attorney, during this trial, the Choctaw Nation bitterly disputed its responsibility for the safety of passengers on the chartered bus and offered $50,000 to settle the case before trial.
The jury deliberated more than three days before returning the verdict finding that the Choctaw Nation had "control" over the charter bus and bore responsibility for the safety of its passengers.
"The Choctaw Nation can't simply farm out its passengers and other key bus operations without consideration for the safety of its charter bus operators and drivers," says lead trial lawyer Frank L. Branson. "This jury spoke loud and clear, and hopefully this verdict forces the Choctaw Nation to take the safety of North Texas residents seriously. They are the most precious cargo that the Choctaw Casino carries every single day."
A Choctaw spokesperson sent CBS11 the following statement:
"While we respect the court system, we feel there were errors and plan to appeal."
Sue Taylor, who was known as "Casino Sue" was also killed in the bus crash.
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