Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, cities can be held liable for up to $250,000 for injuries and damages received from negligent driving of city vehicles.
Photo: Canva/Government Fleet
The city of San Antonio will pay $210,000 in settlements over two fender bender accidents involving police officers. The city council approved the payouts at its March 2 meeting.
About the Crashes
The largest payout — $150,000 — will go to Jesse Quiñones, a man who was rear-ended by Officer James Van Kirk in May 2017 while Van Kirk was on patrol, according to My San Antonio. Quiñones alleged that he suffered injuries from the accident. Under the Texas Tort Claims Act, cities can be held liable for up to $250,000 for injuries and damages received from negligent driving of city vehicles.
The second settlement — $60,000 — will be paid to Selika Jones, whose vehicle was also rear-ended by an unnamed San Antonio officer in February 2020. City council agenda documents reveal the officer was driving and claimed he or she was "distracted by an individual" in a nearby parking lot. The officer didn't see that traffic had come to a stop and hit the back of Jones' vehicle.
A portion of the settlements will also be paid to the plaintiffs' attorneys.
According to My San Antonio, settlements over $50,000 must be approved by the city council.
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