1.95 Million Jury Verdict in Hit and Run Accident Case in Anne Arundel County
An Anne Arundel County jury returned a $1.95 million verdict yesterday in favor of Robert Howard, 56, who was struck by a cement mixer truck while working on his disabled truck on the northbound shoulder of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in April 2005. The accident resulted in the death of one pedestrian and severe injuries to Mr. Howard, both of whom worked at the time for Goodwill Industries in Linthicum. The trial lasted five days. The jury deliberated for two hours before reaching a verdict against the vehicle's owner, Lafarge Mid-Atlantic, LLC, and the driver, Robert Schulman.
The accident received a great deal of notoriety and press attention
as a result of a manhunt that ensued after Mr. Schulman fled the scene in the
Lafarge vehicle. Phone tips to the Maryland State Police resulted in the
identification of the vehicle as one owned by Lafarge Mid-Atlantic. The truck
was found by the Maryland State Police at Lafarge's Jessup facility.
Debris from the scene was matched to the truck, and blood evidence was linked to
the deceased, Erol Johnson of Baltimore. Mr. Schulman was later identified
as the driver but during the initial State Police investigation he denied any
knowledge of striking the pedestrians. He was subsequently charged with
leaving the scene of an accident causing death which was later amended to
negligent driving pursuant to which Mr. Schulman pleaded guilty.
Robert Howard was represented by Alan J. Belsky and Valerie A. Grove
of Belsky, Weinberg & Horowitz, LLC. Lafarge Mid-Atlantic and Robert
Schulman were represented by Joseph Zauner, III.