Woman Injured by Ex-Prisoner Recieves $1.2 Million Settlement

By Merylee Robbins

Published on October 12, 2005

Lynn Torgerson and her mother Lillie C. Olsen were driving in their truck when ex-prisoner Amy Hood crashed into them. Hood, who had a drug problem and a history of violence, was still under state supervision when the crash occurred. Torgerson's lawsuit against the state alleged that the Department of Corrections negligently failed to supervise Hood leading up to the accident.

Hood, who had been held for 10 years in Spokane County for killing her boyfriend, was supposed to be closely supervised by the Department of Corrections after being released from prison to ensure that she was making the necessary steps towards recovery from substance abuse. After the crash, Hood claimed that she had fallen asleep at the wheel admitted to using cocaine three days prior. Hood was also discovered to have moved in with two individuals with drug convictions and was never prompted by DOC to attend treatment of any kind.

Torgerson sustained a traumatic brain injury, nerve paralysis, and multiple broken bones in the crash, as well as emotional distress caused by the subsequent death of her mother. The Torgerson's opted not to file a wrongful death suit for Lillie Olsen's death for personal reasons.

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