## N O



## . 06-15-00009-CV I N THE 

### C OURT OF 

### A PPEALS FOR THE 

### S IXTH 

### D ISTRICT OF 

### T EXAS
AT 

### T EXARKANA DENNIS RAYNER and JOE TEX XPRESS, INC. APPELLANTS

V.

KRISTA DILLON APPELLEE

Appeal from the District Court of Hopkins County, Texas

62 nd Judicial District Honorable Will Biard Presiding



## B RIEF OF 

## A PPELLEE

John R. Mercy Texas State Bar No. 13947200 M ERCY p C ARTER p T IDWELL , L. L

. P

. 1724 Galleria Oaks Drive Texarkana, TX 75503 Telephone: (903) 794-9419 Facsimile: (903) 794-1268 E-mail: jmercy@texarkanalawyers.com Brent Goudarzi Texas State Bar No. 00798218 Email: brent@goudarzi-young.com Marty L. Young Texas State Bar No. 24010502 Email: myoung@goudarzi-young.com Geoffrey Hoover Texas State Bar No. 24074437 Email : ghoover@goudarzi-young.com G OUDARZI & Y OUNG P.O. Box 910 Gilmer, TX 75644 Telephone: (903) 843-2544 Facsimile: (903) 843-2026

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

Oral Argument Requested ACCEPTED 06-15-00009-CV SIXTH COURT OF APPEALS TEXARKANA, TEXAS 12/7/2015 12:06:42 PM DEBBIE AUTREY

CLERKI D E N T I T Y O F P A R T I E S A N D C O U N S E L

Pu rs uan t t o Ru l e 3 8 .1 (a) o f th e Tex as Ru l es o f Ap p el lat e Pro ced u re, Ap p el l ee

l i st s b el o w t he n am es an d ad dres s es o f al l p art ies to t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s fi n al ju d g m en t

t o g et h er wi t h t hei r co u n s el in t he t ri al co u rt

. Th i s li s t i s p ro v i d ed s o t h at t h e ju s t i ces

o f t h i s Co u rt m ay ev al u at e p o s s i b l e d is q u al i fi cat i o n an d recu s al
, an d s o th at t h e Cl erk

o f t h e Co u rt o f Ap p eal s m ay n o t i fy al l p art i es o f t h i s Co u rt ’ s fi n al ju d g m en t

.
Den ni s Ray n er an d J o e Tex Xp res s , In c..

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ap p el l an t s
Bry an P. Rees e J en n ifer M . Lee F E E , S M I T H , S H A R P & V I T U LLO , L. L

. P

. Th ree Gal l eri a To wer 1 3 1 5 5 No el Ro ad , Su i te 1 0 00 Dal l as , TX 7 52 4 0

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T ri al an d Ap p el l at e Co u ns el fo r Ap p el l an t s

Sam u el V. Ho us t on , III H O U S T O N D U N N , P LLC 4 0 4 0 Bro ad way , Su i t e 4 40 San An t o n i o , TX 7 8 2 0 9

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ap p el l at e Co u ns el fo r Ap p el l an t s

Kri s t a Di l l o n

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ap p el l ee

Bren t Go u d arzi M art y Yo u n g Geo ffrey Ho o ver G O U D A R ZI & Y O U N G P.O. Bo x 9 1 0 Gi l m er, TX 7 5 64 4

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tri al Co u ns el fo r Ap p el l ee

J o h n C. Gi n n S M I T H M C D O W E LL G I N N P.O. Bo x 4 9 3 Su l p hu r Sp ri n gs , TX 7 5 4 8 3.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tri al Co u ns el fo r Ap p el l ee

iJ o h n R. M ercy

M E R C Y p C A R T E R p T ID W E LL , L. L

. P

. 1 7 2 4 Gal l eri a Oak s Dri v e Tex ark an a, TX 7 5 5 0 3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ap pel l at e Co u ns el fo r Ap p el l ee

iiTABLE OF CONTENTS Pa g e

Id en t i t y o f Part i es an d Co u n s el

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i

Tab le o f Co n t en t s

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i i i

In d ex o f Au t h ori ti es

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

St at em en t o f t he Cas e.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Res po n s e t o Is s ue Pres en t ed

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

St at em en t o f Fact s.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

St at em en t Reg ard i n g Oral Arg u m en t

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Su m m ary o f t h e Arg u m en t

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Arg um en t an d Au t h o ri t i es

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Gro s s Neg l i g en ce.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Ob ject i v e an d Su b

ject i v e El em en t s

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

Ev i d en t i ary

Rev iew.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

Ob ject i v el y J o e Tex Kn ew o f t h e Ex t rem e Ri s k

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

Ob ject i v el y Ray n er Kn ew o f t h e Ex trem e Ri s k.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 3

Ev i d en ce Su p p o rt s Ob

ject i v e Pro n g fo r Gro s s Neg l ig en ce.

. . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4

J o e Tex Pro ceed s wi t h Co n s ci o u s In d i fferen ce.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4

Ray n er Pro ceed s wi t h Co n s ci o u s In d i fferen ce.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 5

Ev i d en ce Su p p o rt s t h e Su b ject i v e Pro n g fo r Gro s s Neg l i g en ce.

. . . . . . . . . 1 6

iiiDefen d an t s Had No Cred i b il i ty

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7

Lack o f Ev i d en t i ary

Su pp o rt fo r Defen d an t s ’ Arg u m en t

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7

Co n cl u s i o n

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 0

Pray er.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1

Cert i fi cat e o f Serv i ce.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

Cert i fi cat e o f Co m

p l i an ce.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

Ap p en d ix : A

- Acci d en t Rep o rt Drawi n g (P. Ex . 1 7 p . 6 )

B

- Ho u rs o f Serv i ce: Reco rd o f Du t y St at u s Fal s i fi cat io n Li s t (P. Ex . 3 [em

p h as i s ad d ed ] )

C

- J oe Tex J u l y

1 2 , 2 0 1 0 Vi o l at io n Rep o rt (P. Ex

. 1 8 [em p h as i s ad d ed ] )

D

- 4 .3 0 .1 0 J oe Tex l et t er (P. Ex

. 2 6 [em ph as is ad d ed ] )

E

- 7 .1 .1 0 J o e Tex l et t er (P. Ex . 2 4 [em p has i s ad d ed ] )

F

- J oe Tex l et t er (P. Ex . 2 7 [em p has i s ad d ed ] )

ivI NDEX OF AUTHORI TI ES

Ca s es : Pa g e

Bo erjan v . Ro d ri g u es , 4 3 6 S.W

. 3 d 3 0 7 (Tex . 2 0 1 4 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 , 1 7

Co l u m b i a M ed i cal Cen t er o f Las Co l i n as , In c. v . Ho g u e, 2 7 1 S.W

. 3 d 2 3 8 (Tex . 2 0 0 8 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

Dal wo rt h Tru ck i n g Co . V. Bu l en , 9 2 4 S.W

. 2 d 7 2 4 (Tex . Ap p . – Tex ark an a 1 9 9 6 , n o wri t ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6

In Re H.R.M ., 2 0 9 S.W

. 3 d 1 0 5 (Tex . 2 0 0 6 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 , 1 7

In Re J .O.A., 2 8 3 S.W

. 3 d 3 3 6 (Tex . 2 0 0 9 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 , 1 6

St at e v . Ad d i n g t o n , 5 8 8 S.W

. 2 d 5 6 9 (Tex . 1 9 7 9 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

St at e v . K.E.W ., 3 1 5 S.W

. 3 d 1 6 (Tex

. 2 01 0 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

Tran s p o rt at i o n In s

. Co . V. M o ri el
, 8 7 9 S.W

. 2 d 1 0 (Tex

. 1 99 4 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

U-Hau l In t ern at i o n al , In c. v . W al d ri p, 3 8 0 S.W

. 3 d 1 1 8 (Tex . 2 0 1 2 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

USA Tru ck , In c. v . W es t , 1 8 9 S.W

. 3 d 9 0 4 , 9 0 7 (Tex . Ap p . – Tex ark an a 2 0 0 6 , n o wri t ).

. . . . . . . 1 0 , 1 7

vSta tutes :

T E X

. C I V

. P R A C

. & R E M

. C O D E A N N

. § 4 1 .0 0 1 (2 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 § 4 1 .0 0 1 (1 1 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0 § 4 1 .0 0 3 (a)(3 ).

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0

Co de o f Federa l Reg ul a ti o ns :

4 9 CFR 3 9 5

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 , 5 4 9 CFR 3 9 5

. 3

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

vi

## N O



## . 06-15-00009-CV I N T H E 

### C O U R T O F 

### A P P E A L S F O R T H E 

### S I X T H 

### D I S T R I C T O F 

### T E X A S
A T 

### T E X A R

K A N A DENNIS RAYNER an d J OE TEX XPRESS, INC. APPELLANTS

V.

KRISTA DILLON APPELLEE



### B RIEF OF 

### A P P ELLEE

TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS:

COM E S NOW Ap p el l ee, KRISTA DILLON, an d f i l es t h is h er b ri ef in

res p o n s e t o Ap p el l an t s ’ b ri ef, an d wo u l d s h o w u n t o t h e Co urt t h e fo l lo wi n g.

S T A T E M E N T O F T H E C A S E

Nat u re o f t h e cas e: Th is i s a t ru ck wreck cas e. 1

.
Tri al co u rt : Ho n o rab l e W i l l Bi ard
, 6 2 n d Ju d ici al Di s tri ct , Ho p k i n s Co u n t y

Part i es : Pl ai n t i ffs : Den n i s Ray n er J o e Tex Xp res s, In c.

Defen d an t: Kri st a Di l lo n

1 Appellant, Dennis Ray

ner, will be referred to as “Ray n er”, Appellant, J oe Tex Xpress, I nc, will be referred to as “J o e Tex ”, Ray n er and J oe T ex will be referred to collectively as “Defendants”, and Appellee, Krista Dillon, w ill be referred to as “Dillon.” The Clerk’s Record will be c i ted as (CR _); the Reporter’s Record will be cited as (_ RR _); and ex hibits will be cited as (P. Ex . _).

1Tri al : Th e cas e was t ri ed fo r s ev en d ay s t o a ju ry

.

Verd ict : T h e ju ry fo u n d Ray n er an d J o e T ex l i ab l e a n d award ed $1 ,1 1 0 , 6 29 .7 6 in act u al d a m a g es

. (CR 3 0 11 -1 3 ). T h e j u ry al s o fo u nd Ray ner an d J o e Tex g ro s s l y neg l i g en t , award i n g $ 2 ,0 0 0 .0 0 in ex em p l ary d am ag es ag ai n s t Ray n er an d $ 3 , 0 00 ,0 0 0 .0 0 in

ex em p l ary d am ag es ag ai n s t J o e T ex

. (CR 3 0 1 4 -1 5, 3 0 22 -2 3 ). Th e tri al co u rt r e d u c ed t h e ex em p l ary d a m ag es ag ai ns t J oe Tex t o $ 1,6 7 9 ,2 9 5.5 2 an d

en t ered ju dg m en t

. (CR 3 0 3 2).

Po s t -Tri al M ot io n s : Defen d an ts fi l ed a m o t i o n fo r n e w t r i a l wh i ch was
o v erru l ed b y

o p erat i o n o f l aw. Th i s ap p eal en s u ed

.

2

### R ESP ONSE TO 

### I SSUE 

### P RESENTED

Res po ns i v e I s s ue

W here the ev i dence i ncl uded a ck no w l edg m ent tha t:

• m a i nta i ni ng a ccur a t e l o g bo o k s w a s requi red under federa l l a w ,

• the purpo s e o f l o g bo o k s w a s to prev ent fa ti g ued dri v ers fro m dri v i ng 1 8-w heel ers ,

• the Depa rtm ent o f Tra ns po rta ti o n ha d fo und J oe Tex i n v i o l a ti o n o f the l a w ,

• Ra y ner w a s the s eco nd m o st ci ted dri v er fo r J oe Tex ,

• J oe Tex pa i d a s ig ni fi ca nt f i n e fo r m a k

i ng fa l s e repo rts o f duty s ta tus o n l o g bo o k s

• Ra y ner w as m i s s i ng ten lo g bo o k s d uri ng the

m o nth befo re the a cci dent,

• Ra y ner’s l o g bo o k s fo r the da y b e f ore a nd the da y o f the a cci dent w ere fa l s i fi ed,

• The jury hea rd ev idence tha t Jo e Tex a nd Ra y ner
w ere no t credi bl e; a nd

• Ra y ner ra n Di l l on off the ro a d beca us e he di dn’t

s ee her. There w a s cl ea r a nd co nv inci ng ev i dence to s uppo rt the jury ’s fi ndi ng of g ro s s neg l i g ence a g ai ns t R a y ner a nd J oe Tex

.

3

### S TATEMENT OF 

### F ACTS

J o e Tex cl ai m ed t h at Ray n er was o n e o f “ t h e b es t h an d s he ev er h ad

. ” (2 RR

3 0 0 ). At t h e t ri al Ray n er ad m i t t ed t h at h e recei v ed a fo u r-y ear s en t en ce fo r l eav i n g

t h e s cen e o f a h i t-an d -ru n acci d en t , “ s u ck ed at l o g s ”, fal s i fi ed h i s l o g b o o k s , h ad b een

fo u n d t o h av e fal si fi ed h i s l o g b o o k s rep eat ed l y , fal si fi ed h i s l o g b o o k s o n t h e d ay

b efo re an d t he d ay o f th e acci d en t , h ad b een s l o p p y wi t h l o g bo o k s fo r y ears an d

d i d n ’ t ev er g et d i s ci p l in ed

. (5 RR 2 1 8 , 2 2 5 , 2 3 5 , 2 4 5 , 2 7 8 , 2 9 4 , 2 9 9 , 3 3 1 ). Des p i t e

t h i s J o e Set i n a, p res i den t an d own er of J o e Tex , wo u l d s t i l l l et Ray n er d ri v e a J o e Tex

t ru ck ev en t o d ay . (2 RR 2 76 ).

On J u l y 23 , 2 0 1 0 , Ray n er h i t Di l l o n ’ s Ch ev y M al i b u fro m b eh i n d an d ran h er

o ff In t ers t at e 3 0

. (P. Ex

. 17 , A p p en d i x A ). He cl a i m e d t h a t h e nev er s aw h er u n t i l

aft er h er car w as h u rd l in g t h ro u g h t h e m ed i an

. (5 RR 2 84 -2 8 5 ). Ray ner cl ai m ed t h at

D i l l o n was i n h i s b li n d s p o t ev en t h o u g h s h e was i n fro n t o f h i m

. (5 RR 28 4 -2 8 5 )

.
At tri al Ray n er an d J o e Tex accep t ed fu ll res p on s ib i li t y fo r t he acci den t

. (2 RR 2 4 8;

5 RR 2 02 ). Th e ju ry

ag reed t h at i t was Ray n er’ s fau l t . (CR 3 00 6 ).

Th e t ru ck i n g i n d us t ry i s h eav i l y reg u l a t e d u n d er th e Fed eral M o t o r Carri er

Safet y Act

. ( S

ee 4 9 CFR 3 9 5 ). Becau s e d ri v i n g an 1 8 -wh eel er wh i l e fat i g u ed i s

ex t rem el y d an g ero u s , t h e Fed eral M o to r Carri er Safet y Ad m i n i s t rat i o n h as

p ro m u l gat ed s p eci fi c reg u l at io n s t h at res t ri ct t h e nu m b er of dri v i n g /wo rk i n g h o u rs

. (4 9 CFR 3 9 5 .3 ; 5 RR 2 0 4 ). T h es e reg u l at io n s req u i re d ri v ers t o k e ep lo g b o ok s

4d et ai li n g t h e h ou rs t h at t h ey wo rk
, a r e d r i vi n g , o n d u t y , s l eep i n g , an d o ff d u t y

. (4 9

CFR 3 9 5 ). Th e p u rp o se o f t h es e reg ul at i o n s i s t o p ro t ect t h e p u bl i c fro m t h e k n o wn

ex t rem e d an g er o f fat i g u ed d ri v ers

. (2 RR 7 9). J o e T ex k n ew al l t h i s. (2 RR 2 5 6 ; 3

RR 2 7 -2 8).

Bu t Jo e Tex h ad a s y s t em i c p ro b l em i n v i o l at in g fed eral reg ul at i o n s d es i g n ed

t o p rev en t fat ig u e. In Ap ri l 2 0 1 0 , ju s t t h ree m o n t h s b efo re t h i s acci d en t , J o e Tex was

au d it ed b y t h e Dep art m en t o f Tran s p o rt at i o n

. (P. Ex

. 3 an d Ap p en d i x B). T h e DOT

au d it o f a ran d o m t h i rt y -d ay p eri o d s h o wed th at J oe Tex h ad 4 8 v io l at i o n s , o f wh i ch

3 4 wer e c ri t i cal v i o lat i o n s. (2 RR 9 1 ; 3 RR 5 7 ). Ray n er w as t he seco n d wo rs t

o ffen d er d u ri n g t h e DOT au d it ti m e fram e. (2 RR 1 5 6 , 3 0 0 ). In t h at t h i rt y -d ay p eri o d

Ray n er had 9 v io lat i o n s

. (P. Ex

. 3 , 29 ; Ap p en d i x B). As a res ul t o f t he DOT au d i t

J o e Tex h ad i t s rat i n g red u ced fro m s a t i s fact o ry t o co n di ti o n al
, an d was fi n ed

$ 1 7 ,0 0 0 .0 0 . (2 RR 1 43 , 1 50 , 2 6 1 , 2 7 5 ; 7 RR 1 3 4 ).

Ray n er ad m i t t ed t h at h e d i d n o t k eep p ro p er l o g b o o k s an d t hat i t was k n o wn

b y Jo e Tex

. (5 RR 2 23 , 2 3 9 -2 4 0 , 2 7 8 ). H e fu rt her t es ti fi ed t h a t n o act i o n was ev er

t ak en ag ai n s t h i m becau s e o f h i s l o g b o o k v i o l a t i o n s

. ( 5 R R 2 2 3 , 23 9 -2 4 0 ). He

co n ti n u ed t o n o t p ro p erl y m ai n t ai n l o g bo o k s ri g ht t h ro u g h t h e acci d en t. (5 RR 2 9 4 ).

Du ri n g t h e m o n t h p ri o r t o t h e acci d en t h e h ad 1 2 m i ss i ng l o g bo o k s , h ad i n accu rat e

l o g b o o k s o n t h e d ay b efo re an d t h e d ay o f t h e acci d en t an d ad m i t t ed t o p re-fi l l i n g o ut

h i s l o g bo o k s b efo re b eg i n n i n g t o w o rk ev en o n t h e d ay o f th e acci d en t

. (5 RR 2 3 5,

52 9 4 -2 9 5 ). (P. E x

. 18 , A p pen d i x C). Ray n er an d J o e T ex ad m i t t ed t h at accu rat e l o g

b o o k s were cri t i cal in d et erm in i n g wh et h er a d ri v er was fat ig u ed

. (2 RR 7 9 , 2 3 3 , 2 5 6;

5 RR 1 2 , 3 1 , 2 0 6). Bu t Ray n er ad m i t t ed t h at b ecau s e o f t h e i n accu raci es i n h i s l o g

b o o k s t h at i f hi s l og b o o k s were wro n g o n t h e day b efo re t h at th e ju ry co ul d n o t t el l

t h a t h e was n o t fat i g u ed

. (5 RR 2 5 1 ). He di d ad m i t t h at t h e t i m es o n hi s l o g b o o k s

fo r t h e d ay

o f t h e acci d en t were “ s crewed u p ag ai n ”. (5 RR) 2 9 4 ).

Bas ed o n t h e ab o v e ev i d en ce t h e ju ry fo u n d b ot h Ray n er an d J o e Tex g ro s s l y

n eg li g en t

.

6

### S TATEMENT 

### R EG ARDING 

### O RAL 

### A RG U MENT

Th e Co u rt s h o u l d g ran t o ral arg u m en t fo r t h e fo l l o w i n g reas o ns :
a) Oral arg u m en t wo u l d g i v e t h e Co u rt a m ore co m p l et e

u nd ers t an di n g o f th e fact s p res en t ed in t hi s ap p eal

. T ex

. R. Ap p

.
P. 3 9 .1 (c).

b ) Oral arg u m en t wo u l d s i g n i fi can t l y ai d t h e Co u rt i n d eci d i n g th e

cas e. Tex . R. Ap p . P. 3 9 .1 (d ).

7

### S UMMARY OF THE 

### A RG UMENT

Aft er h av i n g b een ci t ed an d fi n ed by t h e DOT fo r 4 8 v i o l at i o n s i n a t h i rt y -d ay

p eri o d th ree m o nt hs b efo re t h i s acci d en t , J o e T ex m ad e no at tem pt t o co rrect t h e l o g

b o o k fal s i fi cat i o n s.

J o e Tex k n ew o f t h e ri s k s o f f a l s i fy i n g l o g b o o k s an d th at i t wo u l d l ead to

fat i g ued d ri v ers

. Jo e Tex kn ew t h at t h e ri s k wo u ld l ead t o cat as t ro p h i c i n ju ri es

. Bu t

J o e Tex d i d n o t ap p ear t o care.

J o e Tex d id n ’ t fi re dri vers t hat fal s i fi ed l o g b o o k s

. J oe Tex d id n ’ t d i s ci p l i n e

d ri v ers t h at fal s i fi ed l og bo o k s

. J o e T e x d id n ’ t fo l l ow i t s o wn p ol i ci es reg ard i n g

p rev en ti n g fal si fy i ng l o g b o o k s.

As a res ul t o n J u l y 2 3, 2 0 1 0 , Kri s t a Di l l on was ru n o v er b y a J o e Tex d ri v er.

A J o e Tex d ri v er wh o co n t i nu al l y fal s i fi ed l o g b oo k s

. A J o e Tex d ri ver wh o fal s i fi ed

h i s l o g b o o k s th e d ay be f o r e t h e a cci d en t. A J o e Tex d ri v er wh o fal s i fi ed h i s l o g

b o o k o n th e d ay o f t h e acci d en t

. A J o e Tex d ri v er wh o cl ai m ed t o n o t s ee Di l l o n in

fro n t o f h i m

u n t il h e h ad ru n h er o ff t h e ro ad

.
Th i s ev id en ce co m

p l et e wi t h t h e t o t al l ack of cred i b i l i t y o f Ray n er an d J o e Tex

s u p p ort t h e ju ry ’ s fi n d in g o f g ro s s n eg l i gen ce.

8

### A RG UMENT AND 

### A U THORITIES

“ I t ’s m y cal l. It ’ s m

y co m p an y

. I can ki n d o f d o wh at I

wan t

. ” – J o e Set i n a (3 RR 2 7 )

W i t h ju s t s u ch a cav al i er at t it u d e, Set i n a, as p res i d en t o f J o e Tex , p ut d ri v ers

o n t h e ro ad

. J o e Tex k n ew i t was cat as t ro p h i cal l y d an g ero u s t o h av e fat i g ued d ri v ers

o n t h e ro ad . Des p i t e t h i s , J o e Tex d i d n o t req u i re it s d ri vers t o m ai n t ai n p ro p er l o g

b o o k s n o r t rai n t h em t o d o s o

. J o e Tex d i d n o t en fo rce i t s o wn p o l i ci es reg ard i n g l o g

b o o k s

. Jo e Tex d id n ot d i s ci p l i n e d ri v ers fo r fai l u re t o p ro p er l y f i l l o u t l o g b o o k s

.

J o e Tex d i d n o t ch eck t o s ee if d ri v ers ’ l o g b o o k s accu rat el y refl ect ed wh et h er t h ey

were fat i g u ed o r n o t

. J o e Tex l i ed t o t h e DOT ab o ut h av in g hi red a s afet y m an ag er.

J o e T ex l i ed t o t h e DOT reg ard i n g h av i n g t ak en d i s ci p l in ary act i o n ag ai n s t t h e “ wo rs t

o ffen d i n g d ri vers .” It i s ag ai n s t t h i s b ack g ro u n d t h at Ray n er an d J o e T ex no w at t em pt

t o arg u e t h ere was n o t ev id en ce o f g ro s s n eg li g en ce.

Gro s s Neg l i gence

Gro s s n eg l ig en ce m

u s t b e p ro v ed b y a cl ear an d co n v in ci n g ev i d en ce. Cl ear

an d co n v i n ci n g ev i den ce i s t h at m eas u re o r d eg ree o f p ro o f t hat wi l l p ro d u ce i n t h e

m i n d o f t h e t ri er o f fact a fi rm b el i ef o r co n v ict i on as t o t h e t ru th o f t h e al l eg at i o n

s o u g ht t o b e es tab l i s h ed

. T E X

. C I V

. P R A C

. & R E M

. C O D E A N N

. § 4 1 .0 0 1 (2 ). W h i l e t h e

p ro o f m u s t b e o f a h ea v i e r w e i g h t t h an m erel y t he great er w ei g h t o f t h e cred i b l e

9ev i d en ce, t h ere i s n o req u irem en t t h at t h e ev i d en ce m u s t b e u n eq ui v o cal o r

u n d i s p u t ed . St at e v . Ad d i n g to n , 5 8 8 S.W .2 d 5 6 9 , 5 7 0 (Tex . 1 9 7 9).

Objecti v e a nd Subjecti v e El em ents

Ex em pl ary dam ag es m ay b e award ed i f th e p ro of s h ows th at t h e harm s u ffered

res u l ted fro m g ro s s n eg l i g en ce. T E X

. C I V

. P R A C

. & R E M

. C O D E A N N

. § 4 1.0 0 3 (a)(3 ).

Tran s p ort at i o n In s. Co

. v

. M o ri el
, 8 7 9 S.W

. 2 d 1 0 , 2 0 (Tex

. 19 9 4). USA Tru ck
, In c.

v

. We s t , 1 8 9 S.W .3 d 9 0 4 , 9 0 7 (Tex

. Ap p

. – Tex ark an a 2 0 0 6 , n o wri t ). “ G r o s s

n eg li g en ce” m ean s an act o r om i s s i o n : (A) wh i ch w h en v i ewed o bject i v el y fro m t h e

s t an d p o in t o f t h e a c t o r a t t h e t i m e o f i t s o ccu rren ce i n v o l v es an ex t rem e deg ree o f

ri sk
, co n si d eri ng t he p ro b ab i l it y an d m ag n i tu d e o f t h e h a r m t o o t h ers ; an d (B) o f

wh i ch t h e act o r had act u al s u bject i v e awaren es s o f t h e ri s k i n vo l ved b u t n ev ert h el es s

p ro ceed s wi t h co ns ci o us i nd i fferen ce t o t h e ri g h t s , s afet y , o r wel fare o f o th ers

. T E X

.
C I V

. P R A C

. & R E M

. C O D E A N N

. § 4 1 .0 0 1 (1 1 ). Un d er t h e o b ject iv e el em en t , an

ex t rem e ri s k i s “ no t a rem o t e p o s s i b i l i t y o f i n ju ry o r ev en a h i g h p ro bab il i t y o f m i n o r

h arm , b u t rat h er t h e l ik el i h o o d o f s eri o u s i n ju ry t o t h e p l ai nt i ff.” Bo erjan v.

Ro d ri g u es , 4 3 6 S.W .3 d 3 0 7 , 3 1 1 (Tex

. 2 0 1 4 ). Un der t h e s u bject iv e el em en t “ act u al

a w a ren es s m ean s t h e d efen d an t k n ew ab o u t t h e p eri l
, bu t i t s act s o r om i s s i o n s

d em o n s t rat ed t h at i t d i d n o t care.” Id

. Ci rcu m st an t i al ev i d en ce m ay s u ffi ce t o p ro v e

ei t h er el em en t

. Id

.

10Ev i denti a ry Rev i ew

In ev al u at in g t h e l eg al s u ffi ci en cy o f t h e ev i den ce, t h is Co u rt m u s t d et erm i n e

wh et h er t h e ev i d en ce i s s u ch t h at a fact fi nd er co u l d reas on ab ly fo rm a fi rm b el i ef o r

co n vi ct i o n t h at i t s fi n d i n g w as tru e. St at e v

. K.E.W

. , 3 1 5 S.W .3 d 1 6 , 2 0 (Tex

. 2 0 1 0 ).

Co l um b i a M ed i cal Cen t er o f Las Co l i n as , In c. v

. Ho g u e, 2 71 S.W .3 d 2 3 8 , 2 4 8 (Tex

.
2 0 0 8 ). Th i s Co u rt m

u s t rev i ew t h e ev id en ce i n t h e l ig h t m o re fav o rab l e t o t h e ju ry ’ s

fi nd i ng o f g ro s s n eg l i g en ce. U -Hau l In tern at i o n al
, In c. v

. W al dri p , 3 80 S.W .3 d 1 1 8,

1 3 8 (Tex

. 2 0 12 ). Th i s Co u rt m u s t res o l v e an y d i s p u t ed fact s in fav o r o f t h e fi n d i n g

i f a reas o n ab l e fact f

i n d e r co u l d h av e d o n e so

. K.E.W ., 3 1 5 S.W .3 d at 2 0

. Th i s

Co u rt m u s t d i s reg ard ev i d en ce co n t rary t o t h e fi n d i n g u n l es s a reas o nab l e fact fi n d er

co u ld n o t. Id

. Th e ju ry , no t t h e ap p el l at e co urt , i s t he s o l e ju d g e o f t h e cred ib i l i t y an d

d em ean o r o f t h e wi t nes s es . In Re J .O.A., 2 8 3 S.W .3 d 3 36 , 3 46 (Tex . 2 0 0 9).

In fo rm i ng a fact u al s u ffi ci en cy rev i ew t h i s Co u rt m u s t d et erm i ne wh et h er o n

t h e en t i re reco rd a fact fi n d er co u l d reas o n ab l y fo rm a fi rm co n v i ct i on o r b el i ef t h at

i t s fi n d i ng was t ru e. In Re H.R.M ., 2 0 9 S.W .3 d 1 0 5 , 1 0 8 (Tex

. 2 0 0 6). Th i s Co u rt

t h o u g h m ay

s t i l l n o t s u b s t i t u te i t s ju d g m en t fo r t h at o f t h e ju ry

. Id

. Objecti v el y J o e Tex Knew o f the Ex trem e Ri s k

J o e Set in a, t h e p res i den t o f J o e Tex , ad m i t t e d t h a t a n i m p ro p erl y d ri v en 1 8

-

wh eel er can cau s e s eri o u s d am ag e t o peo p l e. (2 RR 2 5 6 ). H e ad m i t ted t hat h e k n ew

fat i g ue was a b i g p ro b l em t h at co u l d cau se cat as t ro p h i c i n ju ri es

. (2 RR 2 5 6 ). He

11fu rt her ad m i t t ed t h at t h e way t o k eep u p wi t h d ri v ers ’ fat ig u e was b y m o n i t o ri n g t h e

l o g b o o k s

. ( 2 RR 25 6 ). He fu rt h er t es t i fi ed th at h e reco g n i zed t h e p ro b l em wi th

d ri v ers b ei ng t i red an d cau s i n g acci d en t s

. (3 RR 6 6 ). He al s o ad m i t t ed t h at h e k n ew

t h at fal s i fy i n g th e l o g b oo k s was a “ bad t h i n g

. ” (2 RR 2 59 ). He fu rt h er ad m i t t ed t h at

h e k n ew J o e T ex d ri v ers were fal si fy in g l og b o o k s b efo re th e acci d en t

. (2 RR 2 9 8 ).

He fu rt h er ad m i tt ed th at b efo re t h e acci d en t Ray n er was th e s eco n d wo rs t d ri v er at

fal s ify i ng l og b o o k s

. (2 RR 3 0 0 ). He al s o t es t i fi ed t h at b ecau se Ray ner was fal s i fy i n g

l o g b o o k s it was p os s i b l e t hat o n t h e dat e o f t h e acci d en t h e w as al s o “ co o k i n g t h e

b o o k s .” (2 RR 3 3 0 ). He fu rt h er t es t i fi ed t hat fat i gu ed d ri v ers co u l d cat as tro p h i cal l y

i n ju re p eo p l e. (3 RR 2 9 ).

An g ie Du n av an t was t h e CFO an d s afe t y s u p erv i s o r o f J o e Tex

. 2 (2 RR 6 2 ).

Sh e ad m i t t ed t h at s h e k n ew t h e p u rp o s e o f l o g b o o k s was t o keep t i red d ri vers o ff t h e

ro ad b ecau s e b ad t h i n g s co u l d h ap p en

. (2 RR 7 9 ). Sh e al s o tes t i fi ed t h at i f J o e Tex

d i d n o t t ak e act i o n ag ai n s t d ri v ers t h at fal s i fi ed l o g b o o k s i t s en t a m es s ag e t h at J o e

Tex “ ju s t d id n ’ t care.” (2 RR 8 0). Sh e k n ew p ri o r t o t h e acci den t th at s h e h ad d ri v ers

t h at were fal s i fy i n g t h e l o g b oo k s

. (2 RR 8 6 )

. S h e a l s o k n ew p ri o r t o t he acci d en t

t h at Ray ner h ad b een fo u n d t o h av e fal s ifi ed h i s lo g b o o ks

. (2 RR 8 6 -8 7 ). Sh e

ad m i t t ed t h at J o e Tex m ad e m o re m o n ey o ff Ray n er t h an o th er d ri v ers

. (2 RR 1 6 8 ).

2 Dunavant’s only qualification to be CF O of a trucking company was that she was a former dental hy g ienist and Setina’s mother-in-law. (2 RR 71, 254).

12Sh e al s o t es t i fi ed t h at peo p l e co u l d get s eri o us l y h u rt i f l o g b o o k s were n o t p ro p erl y

k ep t. ( 2 RR 1 8 6 ). Sh e al s o ad m i t t ed t h at n o d i s ci p l i n ary act i o n was t ak en ag ai n s t
Ray n er. (2 RR 2 3 1 ).

Crai g Sk i d m o re, t he d i s p at ch er w h i ch Jo e T ex cl ai m ed was i t s s afet y m an ag er,

tes t i fi ed t h at l o g b o o k s were i m p o rt an t

. (5 RR 1 1 -1 2 ). 3 Sk i d m o re t es ti fi ed t h at t h e

p u rp os e o f l o g b o o k s was t o k eep t i red d ri vers fro m o p erat i n g veh i cl es

. (5 RR 3 3 ).

He ad m it t ed t h at J o e Tex g ot p ai d m o re i f i t d i d n ’t fo ll o w th e law. (5 RR 21 4 ). He

t es t i fi ed t h at h e k n ew t h at fat i gu ed d ri vers were a p ro b l em an d w o u l d n ot b e s u rp ri s ed

i f th i rt y to fo rt y p ercen t o f acci d en t s were cau s ed b y fat i g u e. (5 RR 1 5 ). He ad m i t t ed

t h at fat i g ue p l ay s a p art i n m o s t acci d en t s

. (5 RR 1 6 0). He t es t i fi ed th at he wo u l d n ot

s ay fat i g u e p l ay ed a p art i n t h i s acci d en t b ecau s e it wo u l d b e b ad fo r ev ery o n e. (5 RR

1 0 3 -1 0 4 ).

Objecti v el y Ra yner Knew o f the Ex trem e Ri s k

Ray n er t es t i fi ed t h at h e k n ew t hat 1 8 -wh eel ers c o u l d cau s e cat as t ro p h i c

i n ju ri es

. (5 RR 2 0 5 ). He t es t i fi ed t hat i t was i m p o rt an t t o k eep u p wi t h th e l o g b o ok s

t o p rev en t t i red d ri vers

. ( 5 R R 2 0 6 ). He al s o t es t i fi ed t h at i f s o m eo n e were n ot

k e e p i n g h i s l o g b o o k s p ro p erl y h e wo ul d co n t i n u e t o vi o l at e t h o s e ru les u n l es s

3 B oth Setina and Dunavant sent letters to the Department of Transportation claiming that J oe Tex had hired Craig Skidmore a s safety manag er. (P. Ex

. 24, 26, A ppendices D a nd E [ emphasis added] ). Skidmore admitted that he was hired merely as a disp at c h e r. (5 RR 1 1-12). Skidmore testified that it was “not rig ht to represent him a s the safety manag er when he w as not.” (5 RR 92).

13s o m eo n e p u t a s t o p t o i t

. (5 RR 2 0 9 ). He t es t ifi ed t h at o n t h e d ay of t h e acci d en t h i s

l o g b o ok s were “ s crewed u p ag ai n .” (5 RR 2 9 4).

Ev i dence Suppo rts Objecti v e Pro ng fo r Gro s s Neg l i gence

Th i s ev i d en ce s h o ws t h at wh en v i ew e d f r om R a y n er’ s an d J o e Tex ’ s s t an d p o i nt

at t h e t i m e o f t he wreck
, fat ig u ed d ri v i n g i n v ol v ed an ex t r e m e d eg ree of ri s k an d

c o u l d cau s e p o t en t i al l y cat as t ro p h ic h arm t o o t h ers

. Th i s cl earl y m et th e o b j e c t i v e

el em en t fo r g ro s s n eg l i g en ce. It fu rt h er sh o w ed t h at Ray ner an d J o e Tex h ad act u al

s u b ject i ve awaren es s o f t he ri s k i n v o l v ed

.

J o e Tex Pro ceeds w i th Co ns ci o us I ndi fference

Des p i t e b ei n g aware o f t h e ri s k s i n v o l v ed i n h av i n g fal si fi ed lo g b o o k s an d

al l o wi n g d ri v ers t o d ri v e w i t h t h em , J o e Tex refu s ed t o ch an ge. Set i na t es t i fi ed t h at

d es p it e h av i n g b een fi ned t ho u s an d s o f d ol l ars b y t he D ep art m en t o f Tran sp o rt at i o n

h e n ev er ev en b o t h ered t o lo o k at wh at t he v i ol at i o n s were. (2 RR 2 63 ). He ad m i t t ed

t h at Ray n er was n ev er wri t t en u p fo r h i s v i ol at io n s

. (2 RR 2 69 ). He t es t i fi ed t h at

d es p it e al l t h e v io lat i o n s b y Ray n er h e wo u l d st i ll al l o w h im t o d ri v e a J o e T ex t ru ck

ev en to d ay

an d t h at t here was n o t i m e h e w o u l d h av e prev en t ed hi m fro m d o i n g s o.
(2 RR 2 7 6 -7 7 ). He ch o s e t o ig no re t h e fact t h at Ray n er h ad fo u rt een (1 4 ) v io l at i on s

fo r m i ss i n g l og b o o k s fo r t h e m o n t h b efo re t h e acci d en t

. (2 R R 2 8 0 )

. Des p i t e J o e

Tex ’ s p o l i c y t o d o cu m en t d i s ci p l i n ary act i o n s , t h ere was n o d ocu m en t at i o n t h at
Ray n er h ad ev er b een d i s ci p l i n ed

. (2 RR 2 6 9 ). Aft er t h e DOT au di t fo u n d s i g n i fi can t

14v i o l at i o n s i n l o g b o o k s h e s t i l l refu s ed t o get ri d o f an y o f t h e b ad o ffen d ers

. (2 RR

3 2 2 ).

An g ie Du n a v a n t t es t i fi ed t h at s h e k new Ray n er was t h e s eco n d wo rs t

p erp et rat o r i n t h e DOT au d it

. (2 RR 1 5 6 ). Ray n er was ci t ed fo r n i ne (9 ) v io l at i on s

i n th e DO T a u d it b efo re t h e acci d en t

. (2 RR 8 7 ). Des p it e k n o wi n g ab o u t t h e

fal s ifi cat i o n o f l o g b oo k s , an d t h at Ray n er was t h e s eco n d wo rs t o ffen d er, an d t h at

s h e sh o u l d t ak e act i o n ag ai n s t o ffen d i n g d ri v ers fo r fal s i fy in g lo g b oo k s , sh e d i d n ot

t erm i n at e Ray n er. (2 RR 1 5 6 , 1 6 7 ). Sh e h ad n o d o cu m en tat i on t h at s h e h a d e v er

d i s cu s s ed t h e l o g b o o k v i o l at i o n s wi t h Ray n er. (2 RR 23 1 ). In s t ead
, s h e t o l d t h e DOT

t h at s h e was g o in g t o lay o ff t h e d r i v e r s r e s p o n s ib l e fo r th e v io l at i o n s fo u n d i n t h e

DOT au d i t

. (2 RR 1 67 ; P. Ex . 2 7 , Ap p en d i x F). No o ne was l ai d o ff. (2 RR 1 6 7 ).

Ra y ner Pro ceeds w ith Co ns ci o us I ndi fference

Ray n er at l eas t ad m i t ted t h at h e k n ew t h at s o m eo n e w h o w as fal si fy i n g h i s l o g

b o o k s wo u ld p ro b ab l y co n t in u e t o d o s o u n l es s s om eo ne p u t a st o p t o it

. (5 RR 2 0 9;

2 4 7 ). H e t es t i fi ed t h at “ I su ck at l o g s .” (5 RR 2 18 ). He h ad b een s l o p py wi t h h i s l o g

b o o k s fo r y ears

. (5 RR 2 8 7 ). Bu t J o e Tex n ev er b o t h ered t o co rrect t h e p ro b l em

. (5

RR 2 2 3 ).

Sk i d m o re, t h e p u rp o rt ed s afet y m an ag er, ev en tes t i fi ed t h at Ray ner w as g o o d

wi t h h i s l o g b o o k s

. (5 RR 2 2 -2 3 ). T h i s d es pi t e t h e DOT au di t t h at cl earl y s h o wed

t h at Ray n er fal s i fi ed h i s l o g b o o k s

. (P. Ex

. 3 )

. On e v i ol at io n s h o wed t h at Ray n er

15cl ai m ed i n h i s D O T l o g b o o k t h at h e was o ff al l d ay i n Co rp u s Ch ri st i b u t i n fact

d ro v e 8 3 2 m i l es fo r 1 3 h o urs an d 5 9 m i n u t es t o M ori art y , New M ex i co

. (2 RR 2 6 8;

P. Ex

. 3 , Ap pen d i x B p

. 2 [em p h as i s ad d ed ] ). Ray n er t es t i fi ed t h at i n t h e th i rt y day s

p ri o r t o t h e acci d en t h e h ad t wel v e (1 2 ) m i ss i n g l o g b o o k s

. (5 RR 2 3 5 ; P. Ex

. 1 8,

Ap p en d ix C [em

p h as i s ad d ed ] ). He was s p eed i n g t wi ce. (5 RR 2 3 5 ). He d i d n o t g et

d i s ci pl i n ed fo r t h at

. (5 RR 23 9-2 4 0 ). He t es t i fi ed th at i f h i s l o g bo o k s were fal s i fi ed

o n t he d ay b efo re t h e acci d en t y o u co u l d n o t t el l i f h e was fat i g u ed

. (5 RR 2 5 1 ). He

t h en t es t i fi ed t hat h i s l og b o o k s at t h a t ti m e were “ s crewed u p ag ai n .” (5 RR 2 9 4 ).

Ev i dence Suppo rts the Subjecti v e Pro ng fo r Gro s s Neg l i g ence

Des p i t e an act u al awaren es s o f t h e ri sk s , it i s cl ear fro m J oe Tex ’ s act i o n s t h at ,

as M s

. Du n av an t s ai d
, J oe Tex “ ju s t d i d n ’ t care.” (2 RR 8 0 ). St art i n g wi t h an o wn er

t h at t h i n k s h e get s t o ru n t h e co m p an y t h e way h e wan t s , t h ro u g h fal si fi ed lo g b o ok s

o n t he d ay o f t h e wreck
, t h e ju ry co u l d reas o n ab l y b el iev e J o e Tex d i d n o t care. Th i s

cl earl y m eet s t h e s ub

ject i v e el em en t req u i red t o pro v e g ro s s n eg l i g en ce. Th e ju ry

co u ld hav e reas o n ab l y fo u n d t h at Ray n er an d J o e Tex ’ s cu m u lat i v e an d co n t i n u i n g

s afet y vi o l at i o n s cau s ed Ray ner t o b e fat i g u ed at t h e ti m e o f t h e acci d en t t h at cau s ed

h i m n o t t o s ee Di l l o n ’ s car i n fro n t o f h i m

. See Dal wo rt h Tru ck i n g Co

. V. Bu l en , 9 2 4

S.W .2 d 7 2 8 , 7 3 4 (Tex . Ap p . – Tex ark an a 1 99 6 , n o wri t ).

16Defenda nts Ha d No Credi bi l ity

Th e ju ry i s t h e o n e wh o ju d g es t he cred i b i l it y o f t he wi tn es s es

. In Re J .O.A.,

2 8 3 S.W .3 d at 3 46 ; In Re H.R.M ., 2 0 9 S.W .2 d at 1 0 8

. It i s cl ear t h at t h ey reas o n ab l y

d i d n o t b e l i e v e t h at J o e Tex h ad a s y s t em i n pl ace t o d et erm i n e wh et h er o r n o t t h e

d ri v ers were fat i g u ed

. See USA Tru ck
, In c., 1 8 9 S.W

. 3 d at 9 0 7. Th i s al o n g wi t h t h e

ev i d en ce t he fact t h at Ray n er d i d n o t s ee Di l l o n , an d Ray n er’ s ad m i s s i o n t h at h e

co u ld p o s s i b l y h av e b een fat i g u e d i f h i s b o o k s were fal s i fi ed
, th e ju ry co u ld

reas on ab l y

b el i ev e h e was fat i gu ed at t h e t i m e o f t he acci d en t b ecau s e o f J o e Tex ’ s

act i on s

.

La ck o f Ev i denti a ry Suppo rt fo r Defenda nts ’ Arg um ent

D e spite t he ov erwh el m i n g ev i d en ce o f g ro s s n eg l i g e nc e se t f or th a bove
, R a y ne r

an d J o e Tex c o n t in ue t o arg u e t h at t h ere was n o “ d i rect ev i d en ce” o f fat i g ue. Th i s

cl earl y i g n o res t h e fact t h at t h ere i s o v erwh el m i n g ci rcu m st an t i al ev i d en ce o f fat i g ue.

“ Ci rcu m s t an t i al ev i d en ce can b e u s ed t o p ro v e g ro s s neg l i g en ce.” Bo erjan
, 4 3 6

S.W .3 d at 3 1 1

. Ev en Ray n er ad m i t t ed t h at i f h i s l o g b o o k s were w ro n g t h e d ay b efo re

t h e acci d en t t h ere was n o way h e c o u l d t el l t he ju ry h e was n o t fat ig u ed o n t h e d ay

o f t h e acci d en t. (5 RR 2 5 1 ).

Des p i t e t h i s D efen dan t s arg u e t h at t o fi n d t h a t R ay n er was fat ig u ed t h e ju ry

wo u l d h av e t o i nfer t h at he i n t e n t i o n al l y fal s i fi ed h is l o g bo o k s

. Th e ju ry d i d n ot

h av e t o i n fer t h at h e fal si fi ed h i s l o g bo o k s b ecau s e Ray n er ad m i t t ed t h at h e had d o n e

17s o o n n u m ero u s o ccas i o n s, i n cl u d i n g t h e d ay b efo re th e acci d en t an d t he d ay o f t h e

acci den t

. (5 RR 2 2 5, 2 3 5 , 2 9 4 ). Ray n er al s o ad m i t ted o n t h e d ay o f th e acci d en t t h at

h e h ad i m

p ro p erl y fi ll ed o ut hi s l o g b o o k befo re h e ev en l eft t h at m o rn in g

. (5 RR

2 9 4 ).

Th e ju ry do es n o t ev en h av e t o m ak e an i n feren ce, i t s im p l y m us t b el i ev e
Ray n er th at h e fal s i fi ed h i s l og b o o k s

. Fro m t h at , an d h i s ad m i s si o n t h at t h e re was

n o w ay t o t el l t h e ju ry h e was n ot fat i g u ed
, t h e ju ry co u l d i n fer fro m t h e acci d en t t h at

h e was fat i g u ed

. He d i d no t s ee Di l l o n p ri o r t o t h e acci d en t

. (5 RR 2 8 4 -2 8 5 ). Ray n er

h i t h er fro m b eh i n d

. (P. E x

. 1 7 , Ap p en d i x A). Ray n er d i d n ’ t ev en k n o w h e’ d h i t h er

u n t i l h e s aw h er i n t h e m ed i an

. (5 RR 2 8 4 -2 8 5 ). S k i d m o re t es t ifi ed t hat fat i g u e

p l ay ed a ro l e i n m o s t acci den t s

. (5 RR 1 6 ). Th es e fact s, co u p l ed wi t h t h e u t t er l ack

o f cred i b i l i t y o f t h e J o e T ex wi t n es s , wo u l d l ead a reas o n a b l e ju ry t o b u t o n e

co n cl u s i o n : Ray n er was fat i g u ed at t h e t i m e o f t h e acci d en t

.

Ev en s t i l l Defen d an ts arg u e t h at t h e ju ry co ul d n o t re a c h t h at co n cl u s i o n

be cau s e o f fo u r un co n t ro v ert ed fact s t h at affi rm at i v el y dem on s t rat ed t h a t “ f a tigue ha d

n o t h i n g t o do wi t h t h e acci den t .” (Ap p el l an t s ’ bri ef p. 1 9). Th i s co n cl u s i o n i s o n l y

b as ed u p o n Defen d an ts ’ b el i ef in t h e cred i b i l i t y o f t h ei r o w n wi t n es s es

.

Un fo rt u nat el y , fo r Defen d an t s , t h e ju ry i s t h e o n e wh o d et erm i n es wh et h er t h e

ev i d e n c e i s cred i b le o r n o t

. J o e Tex an d Ray n er’ s cred i b i l i t y w as very m u ch in

18q u es ti o n

. 4 Th e ev i d en ce s h o wed t h at J o e Tex t h r o u g h i t s CFO an d p res id en t were

wi l l i ng t o l i e t o th e De p art m en t o f T ran sp o rt at i o n, an d Ray n er was co n t i n u al l y

fal s ify i ng h i s l o g bo o k s i n v i o l at i o n o f fed eral req u i rem en t s

. (P. E x

. 2 3, 2 4 ; P. Ex

. 1 8,

Ap p en d ix C). Th erefo re t h e ju ry h a d n o b as i s t o b el i ev e an y t h in g t h ey tes t i fi ed t o

.

Des p i t e th i s lack o f cred i b i l i t y Defen d an t s arg u e t hat i t was u n d i s p u t ed t h at t h e

res p o n d in g o ffi cer d i d n ot i d en t i fy fat i gu e a s a cau s e o f th e acci d en t. (Ap p el l an t ’ s

Bri ef p. 1 9 ). W h i l e t h ere i s n o n o t e o n t h e acci d en t rep o rt Ray n er t es t i fi ed t h at h e d id

n o t real l y ev en t al k t o t h e o ffi cer at t h e acci d en t s cen e. (5 RR 2 5 5 ). Th erefo re, o n e

wo u l d n o t ex p ect t h e o ffi cer to i d en t i fy fat i g u e as a cau se o f t h e acci d en t i f h e d i d n ’ t

real ly s p eak t o Ray n er.

Defen d an t s al s o arg u e t h at t h e t es t im o n y o f d is p at ch er Crai g Sk i d m ore (wh o

J o e Tex rep res en t ed t o be t h ei r s afet y m an ag er) th at Ray ner w as n o t fat i g ued an d d id

n o t ap p ear t i red was un co n tro vert e d

. ( A p p el l an t s ’ Bri ef p

. 1 9). Sk i d m o re t es t i fi ed

t h at h e w o u l d no t say t hat fat ig u e was a fact o r i n t h e acci d en t b ecau s e i t was b ad fo r

ev ery o n e. (5 RR 1 0 3 -1 0 4).

4 Setina was not credible. He initially lied to the jury

that he was a casual fisherman not a professional with no sponsors like B erkley

. (2 RR 2 53-257; 3 RR 3 0-34). H e was forced to admit th a t was false when confronted with photos of h im in his B erkley -sponsored shirt winning $25,000.00 in a professional tournament. (P. Ex

. 35). He also a dmitted w inning over $209,000 as a professional fisherman. (3 RR 34). He also admitted lying to the Department of Transportation that J oe Tex had hired a safety manag er to try to g et h is safety rating chang ed when it had not. (2 RR 283; P. Ex . 24, 26 [ emphasis added] ).

19Defen d an t s al s o arg u e t h at b ecau se Ray ner’ s l og b oo k o n l y s h o ws t h at h e was

d ri v i ng t hree o r fo u r h o u rs o n t h e d ay o f t he acci d en t h e co ul d no t h av e b een

fat i g ued

. (Ap p el l an t s ’ Bri ef p

. 1 9 ). Ray n er’ s o wn t es t i m o n y was t h at i f h i s l o g b o ok s

were fal s i fi ed t h e d ay b efo re t h e acci d en t t h ere was n o way t hat h e co u ld t el l t h e ju ry

t h at h e was n o t fat i gu ed . (5 RR 2 5 1 ).

Fi n al l y , Defen d an t s arg u e t h at becau s e Ray n er d en ied h e was fat i g u ed t h e ju ry

was req u i red to ag ree wi t h h im

. Fo r t h e r e a s o n s s et fo rt h ab o v e Ray n er was n o t a

cred i b l e wi t n es s t h at t h e ju ry was req u ired t o b el i ev e.

Th e ju ry i s t he s o l e ju d g e o f t h e c r e d i b i l i t y o f t h e wi t n es s es , d i d n o t h av e to

accep t t h e t es t im o n y t h at D efen d an t s n ow at t em p t to rel y o n , p art i cu l arl y i n l i g h t o f

t h e fact t hat it was co n t ro v ert ed
, an d t h ere was l i t t l e i f an y cred i b i l i t y at tri b ut ab l e to

J o e Tex an d Ray n er.



### C ONCLUSION

Th e ev i d en ce cl earl y s u pp o rt s th e req u i red el em en t s fo r t h e ju ry t o fi n d g ro ss

n eg li g en ce. Th e Defen d an t s were n o t cred i b l e

. Th e ev i d en ce was t h at Defen d an t s

k n ew o f th e ex t rem e ri s k o f fal s i fy i n g l o g b o o k s wh i ch al l o wed fat i g u ed d ri v ers to

cau s e cat as t ro ph i c i n

ju ri es , b ut s i m

p l y di d n ot care. Di dn ’ t care en o u gh t o g et ri d o f

t h e wo rs t offen ders

. Di d n ’ t care en o ug h t o ev en ret rai n t h e o f f e n d i ng d ri v ers

.
Th erefo re t h e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct s h o u ld b e affi rm ed

.

20

### P RAYER

W HEREFORE, PREM ISES CONSIDERED, Ap p e l l ee, K RISTA D ILLON,

p ray s t h at t hi s Co urt affi rm t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s j u d gm en t ; an d fo r su ch o th er an d fu rt h er

rel i ef t o wh i ch s h e m ay

s h o w h ers el f t o b e en t i tl ed

.

Res p ect fu l ly

s u b m i t t ed
,
/s/ John R. Mercy J o hn R. M ercy Tex as St at e Bar No . 1 3 9 4 7 20 0 M E R C Y p C A R T E R p T I D W E LL , L. L

. P

. 1 7 24 Gal l eri a Oak s Dri v e Tex ark an a, TX 7 5 5 03 Tel ep h o n e: (9 0 3 ) 7 94 -9 4 19 Facs i m i l e: (9 0 3 ) 7 9 4-1 2 6 8 E-m ai l : jm ercy @ t ex ark an al awy ers .co m

Bren t Go u d arzi Tex as St at e Bar No . 0 0 7 9 8 21 8 Em ai l : b ren t @ g o u d arzi -y o u n g .co m M art y L. Yo u n g Tex as St at e Bar No . 2 40 1 0 5 0 2 Em ai l : m y o u n g@ go u d arzi -y ou n g .co m Geo ffrey Ho o v er Tex as St at e Bar No . 2 4 0 74 4 37 Em ai l : g h o ov er@ g o u d arzi -y ou n g .co m G O U D A R ZI & Y O U N G P.O. Bo x 9 1 0 Gi l m er, TX 7 5 6 4 4 Tel ep h o n e: (9 0 3 ) 8 4 3 -2 54 4 Facs i m i l e: (9 0 3 ) 8 4 3 -2 0 26

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

21C E R T I F I C A T E O F S E R V I C E

I h e r e b y c ert i fy th at o n Decem b er 7 , 2 0 1 5 a t ru e an d co rrect co py o f t h e fo reg o i n g Br i ef of Ap

p e l l e e w a s serv ed o n al l co un s el o f reco rd b y t h e El ect ro n i c Serv i ce Pro v id er, as fo l lo w s:

M r. Sam u el V. Ho us t o n , III H O U S T O N D U N N , P LLC 4 0 4 0 Bro ad way , Su i t e 4 40 San An t o n i o , TX 7 8 2 0 9 Em ai l : sam @ h d ap p eal s .co m

M r. Bry an P. Rees e Em ai l : brees e@ fees m i t h .co m M s . J en n i fer M . Lee Em ai l : j l ee@ fees m i t h .co m F E E , S M I T H , S H A R P & V I T U LLO , L. L

. P

. Th ree Gal l eri a To wer 1 3 1 5 5 No el Ro ad , Su i te 1 0 0 0 Dal l as , TX 7 52 4 0

/ s / John R. Mercy J o hn R. M ercy

C E R T I F I C A T E O F C O M P L I A N C E

P urs u an t t o Tex

. R. Ap p

. P. 9 .4 , I h ereb y cert i fy t h at t h e fo reg o i ng Br i e f o f A p p e l lee co n t ai n s 4 0 7 0 wo rd s

. Th i s i s a co m p u t er-g en erat ed d o cu m en t creat ed i n W o rd Perfect u s i n g 1 4-p oi n t t y peface. In m ak i ng t hi s cert i fi cat e I am rel y i n g o n t h e
wo rd co u n t p ro v i d ed b y

t h e s o ft ware u s ed t o p rep are t h e d ocu m en t

.

/ s / John R. Mercy J o hn R. M ercy

22

## N O



## . 0 6

- 1 5

- 0 0 0 0 9- C V I N T H E 

### C O U R T O F 

### A P P E A L S F O R T H E 

### S I X T H 

### D I S T R I C T O F 

### T E X A S
A T 

### T E X A R

K A N A DENNIS RAYNER an d J OE TEX XPRESS, INC. APPELLANTS

V.

KRISTA DILLON APPELLEE

__________________________________________ 

## A P P E ND IX 

## I N D E X

______________________________________________

A

- Acci den t Rep o rt Drawi n g (P. Ex . 1 7 p . 6 )

B

- Ho u rs o f Serv i ce: Reco rd o f Du t y St at u s Fal s i fi cat i on Li s t (P. Ex . 3 (em

p h as i s ad d ed ] )

C

- J o e Tex J u ly

1 2 , 2 0 1 0 Vi o l at io n Rep o rt (P. Ex

. 1 8 [em p h as i s ad d ed ]

D

- 4

. 3 0 .1 0 J o e Tex l et t er (P. Ex

. 2 6 [em ph as i s ad d ed ] )

E

- 7

. 1 .1 0 J oe Tex l et t er (P. Ex . 2 4 [em p has i s ad d ed ] )

F

- J o e Tex l et t er (P. Ex . 2 7 [em p h as i s ad d ed ] )