Woman Convicted of Fatal Hit-And-Run Faces Wrongful Death Suit
By Daniel Hawn
Published on November 30, 2005
In Benson County, Oregon, the family of a fatal hit-and-run victim recently filed a multimillion-dollar wrongful death suit against the driver of the vehicle.
On Aug. 10, 2004 Robin Jensen was hit by a car from behind as she rode her bike on a road north of the city of Corvallis. In the criminal case that ensued, Amy Stack, the driver of the vehicle, testified that she continued driving after running over Jensen because she believed she had hit a deer.
Three days after hitting Jensen, Stack, through her attorney, notified police that her vehicle was involved in the accident.
Stack was convicted Nov. 17 of failing to perform the duties of a driver and was sentenced to two years in the custody of Oregon's Department of Corrections.
Filed the same day as Stack's sentencing, the Jensen family's wrongful death suit seeks a total of $3 million in damages. The suit asks for $1 million in non-economic damages, which include pain, mental anguish, and companionship loss. The other $2 million has been assessed to cover monetary losses.
The lawsuit includes allegations against Stack that weren't included in the previous case. The family is alleging that Stack was intoxicated and speeding when she ran over Jensen.
When reached for comment Monday, Stack's family declined.
A date has not yet been established for the trial.
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