LA County pays $425,000 to settle claim of woman hit by sheriff's car

By Jim Greene

Published on September 27, 2005

Kelly Allen was walking across Sierra Highway in Lancaster on the night of Feb. 27, 2000, when she was struck by a patrol car and suffered a fractured leg, an injured eye, and scratches and bruises. Her suit claims she still has orthopedic problems with her leg.

The suit claims that Allen and her companion Dale Crockett were crossing with a green light, but county documents claim that the pedestrian signal displayed a "Do Not Walk" message and that the two were running across the intersection.

Crockett told investigators at the time that he was not struck, but later filed a claim for soft-tissue neck and back injuries. His suit was consolidated with Allen's and both were settled out of court. Crockett will receive $5,000. Allen's attorney said her settlement would be used to pay medical and legal expenses, and that she would have an unspecified amount left over.

Los Angeles County spent over $300,000 on the case, including attorneys' fees and preparation of expert witnesses.

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