Verdicts & Settlements
Man’s Estate Gets $1 Million Settlement
The estate of a man killed in 1999 when his car was struck by a tractor-trailer driven by a Polish immigrant agreed to a $1 million settlement.
John J. Krell, Sr., 69, of East Brunswick Township, was on Interstate 80 in Butler Township on July 5, 1999, when his car was struck by a tractor-trailer driven by Jerzy Gaworski.
Attorney Marion Munley, respresenting Carole Lynn Krell Gottlieb as the administrator of Krell's estate, said Gaworski has fallen asleep at the wheel.
Munley also said Gaworski was in the country illegally and had several serious truck violation at the time, including failing to fill out logs properly and failing to stop to sleep enough.
Gaworski pleaded guilty to homicide by motor vehicle and served 12 months in the Luzurne County Correctional Facility. He was deported after completing his sentence.
The order, issued by Luzurne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Peter Paul Olszewski, listed Jerzy Gaworski, Lucy and Jarek Trucking Inc., Robert McGruder and Evergreen Transports as defendants in the case.
