Family awarded $925,000 for death of New Mexico woman in bus collision

By Jim Greene

Published on January 16, 2006

Jane Gutierrez, 50, died at the scene and her daughter Vanessa, then 19, was injured Oct. 11, 2005 when their car was struck by a city bus at a Santa Fe intersection. Vanessa Gutierrez was airlifted to an Albuquerque hospital.

Family attorney Bob Rothstein said Vanessa has partially recovered, but will require more medical care. He said the fact that she is walking and talking is "pretty amazing," but that she was left with many scars and is still in pain from the crash.

Rothstein said another $15,000 will be divided among bus passengers and a homeowner whose property was damaged in the crash. After striking the Gutierrez' car, the bus hit a traffic signal, then crashed through the fence of a house, knocking a hot tub off its foundation.

Rothstein said the settlement was for the maximum allowed under state law. He said the family deserved more for its loss, but that taking the case to court may not have resulted in a verdict in excess of the settlement.

The police accident report said the bus driver ran a red light. Rothstein said the driver declared bankruptcy and could not be sued.

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