Minister killed in a tragic car accident- $2,225,000

A Hollister family refused to believe the motorist who blamed their father for causing his own death when in fact, it was the motorist who cut their father off causing a horrific accident which led to his death. The Rodriguez family sued the motorist for the untimely death of their father, German Rodriguez, who was also a local area minister, and has obtained over $2 million–the largest private settlement in the history of San Benito County for a case of this nature.

The family’s lawsuit against Jeffrey Steven Huff, a Watsonville resident, and his employer, Santa Cruz-based The Ledyard Company, sought damages for the grisly decapitation death of respected Hollister minister, German Rodriquez. Mr. Rodriguez was killed on April 25, 2005, when Jeffrey Huff suddenly cut into his lane of travel on San Felipe Road, forcing Mr. Rodriguezs car into the path of an oncoming big-rig. Mr. Rodriguez was killed instantly by the impact. His daughter, who was a passenger, survived the crash, but was trapped in the vehicle and forced to witness the brutally grotesque death of her father.

A Good Samaritan motorist came to her immediate aid and gave comfort during the ordeal. The Hollister Police Department investigated the accident and found no fault on the part of Mr. Rodriguez. However, Jeffrey Huff placed all blame for the collision entirely on Mr. Rodriguez in his own defense against the lawsuit. With this settlement, which was agreed to without admission of liability, the Rodriguez family feels satisfied that their father is fully vindicated and cleared of any fault in this tragic accident. According to Joel Rodriguez, German Rodriguezs eldest son: We miss our Father everyday, he was our role model and our guiding light. We are satisfied that our attorneys have settled this case against the person who caused this accident.

We can finally put this ordeal behind us.” The Rodriguez family was represented in this action by Dunnion Law, a Monterey-based law firm, which represents clients throughout the San Francisco/San Jose bay area, the Central Coast and the entire San Joaquin Valley.