Bakersfield jury awards $15 million in wrongful death case

A jury in Bakersfield awarded the family of Tiffany Paregien $15 million after Tiffany and her mother were killed in a hit-and-run accident by a big rig at Panama Road and Union Avenue.

The accident occurred just two days after Christmas while the women were pedestrians with the right-of-way in a crosswalk. Tiffany died after being transported to Kern Medical Center.  She was 28 years of age and the mother of two young children.

“Tiffany left behind two beautiful children, and this verdict will help provide for their future well-being,” said SBE partner Ricardo Echeverria. “This terrible tragedy could have been averted, but this verdict will allow for some relief for the family and hopefully some measure of closure.”

Echeverria, along with SBE partner Danica Crittenden and partner Scott Howry of Young Wooldridge LLP represented Tiffany’s children in the action.

The jury found Antonio Oliva responsible for killing Tiffany while in the course and scope of his work for Emiliano Perez and E&M Trucking. The truck Mr. Oliva was driving when Tiffany and her mother were killed was owned by Mr. Perez and E&M Trucking.