AFFIRM; and Opinion Filed April 28, 2017.

S

In The

Court of Appeals

Fifth District of Texas at Dallas

No. 05-14-01148-CV

GREENWOOD MOTOR LINES, INC. D/B/A R+L CARRIERS AND STEVEN C. 

GASTON, Appellants

V.

BOBBIE BUSH, Appellee

On Appeal from the 298th Judicial District Court

Dallas County, Texas

Trial Court Cause No. DC-11-16041-M

MEMORANDUM OPINION

Before Justices Bridges, Stoddart, and O'Neill1

Opinion by Justice Bridges

On the Court’s own motion, we withdraw our opinion issued December 30, 2016 and 

vacate our judgment of that date. The following is now the opinion of the Court.

Greenwood appeals the trial court’s judgment, following a jury verdict, in favor of 

Bobbie Bush. In five issues, Greenwood argues the evidence is legally and factually insufficient 

to support the jury’s findings and the trial court erred by (1) incorrectly handling spoliation 

allegations, (2) admitting certain expert testimony, (3) admitting evidence of Greenwood’s 

preventability assessments, and (4) allowing the jury to hear allegations of Greenwood’s net 

worth. In seven issues, Gaston argues the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support 

the jury’s findings and the trial court erred by (1) striking certain jurors for cause, (2) admitting 

 1 The Hon. Michael J. O'Neill, Justice, Assigned
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certain expert testimony, (3) admitting a “summary” of Gaston’s own testimony, (4) excluding 

certain evidence, (5) admitting evidence of Gaston’s prior bad acts, and (6) allowing Bush’s

counsel to make certain improper and prejudicial arguments. We affirm the trial court’s 

judgment.

On December 5, 2011 at approximately 9:30 p.m., Bush was driving east on Interstate 20 

near Weatherford when a tractor-trailer driven by Gaston struck Bush from behind. Gaston’s 

vehicle flipped over multiple times, causing her physical and neurological injuries. On 

December 22, 2011, Bush filed a lawsuit against Gaston and his employer, Greenwood, alleging 

claims of negligence, negligence per se, and gross negligence. The lawsuit progressed, and, on 

May 15, 2013, Greenwood filed its original answer in which it argued Bush’s own negligence 

was “the sole proximate cause or a proximate cause and/or the sole producing cause or a 

producing cause of the accident.” In addition, Greenwood argued the accident was an 

unavoidable accident or the result of a sudden emergency; Bush’s claim for punitive damages 

was insufficiently pled; and Greenwood could not be held liable for punitive damages because its 

actions were in compliance with regulatory or statutory standards, its actions did not cause Bush 

harm, Bush’s injury was caused by someone else, and Bush was the sole cause of her injury or 

her negligence contributed to her injury. In the alternative, Greenwood argued any award of 

punitive damages was subject to a statutory cap or was barred by the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, 

and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution. 

Following numerous hearings on motions for sanctions, motions to exclude expert 

witnesses, and motions to compel, among others, the case proceeded to trial in March 2014. 

Bush testified that, on December 5, 2011, she was driving her 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck with 

boxes of household goods in the bed with a tarp covering them. Bush’s two dogs were in a 

“doggy car seat” attached with the seat belt in the seat next to her. Bush was in the process of 
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moving from Las Vegas to Mississippi. The boxes in the bed of the truck did not prevent Bush 

from seeing out of the rear sliding window or “both side windows.” Neither “the stuff in [the 

truck] bed” nor the tarp covered the truck’s taillights. Bush drove through a construction zone in 

Weatherford and was traveling “a few” below the speed limit in the right lane. Bush was “rearended” and described the accident as “like lights, screech, boom and literally three seconds.” 

Bush’s truck “started spinning and started to flip.” Bush did not remember anything “from the 

flip . . . to seeing lights” and found herself hanging upside down with her seat belt choking her. 

As Bush was trying to get out of the truck, she saw “lights and sirens and realized it was the 

police and ambulance people.” Bush remembered a female police officer asking if Bush was 

okay and taking her to an ambulance. Both of Bush’s dogs died in the accident. Initially, Bush 

refused to go to the hospital, but she developed blurred vision, migraines, nausea, and painful 

bruises, so she went to the emergency room several days later. Bush received ongoing treatment 

and required surgery to her neck that required “six pins and two plates.” At the time of trial, 

Bush was “never pain free,” and she required back surgery when her doctor cleared her 

following the neck surgery.

Gaston testified he rear-ended Bush, and the impact from the collision caused Bush’s 

truck to “flip off the roadway.” Gaston testified Bush’s taillights were not covered by a tarp, and 

“nothing about the tarp caused this collision.” Gaston thought Bush “could be on the side of the 

road dead,” but he did not call 911 because he “could hear sirens already.” Gaston “checked on” 

Bush and then used his cell phone to call Greenwood. Gaston “talked to a lady,” Misty Urton, at 

Greenwood for about ten minutes and then “started receiving phone calls from somebody else” at 

Greenwood. Urton created a “preliminary even report” within ten minutes of the accident. The 

report stated “snow” under weather conditions, “wet” under road conditions, and 65 miles per 

hour under driver’s speed. Gaston testified he “did not tell anybody” he was going 65 miles per 
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hour and denied there was snow on the road and denied that the road was wet. Bush’s counsel 

asked Gaston if the mobile data terminal (MDT) on his truck could have told “somebody” at 

Greenwood his speed, and Gaston answered, “I assume.” Gaston testified he knew the MDT 

records location, but he was “not sure about the speed.” Gaston testified he was told the MDT 

“records location and your speed,” but he was “looking at other papers” and noticed “the speed 

that is showing is not correct.” The MDT in Gaston’s truck provided information on the truck’s 

location and speed on the day of the accident up until approximately 3:00 p.m. and then the 

information stopped until approximately 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. Gaston testified the only way the data 

would not be recorded was if the MDT was unplugged, but it was not unplugged. 

Gaston testified he kept a logbook in which he recorded the times he drove, and 

Greenwood had an obligation to monitor his logbook and make sure he was complying with 

federal requirements concerning rest periods. In his logbook entry for the day of the accident, 

which Gaston filled out four days later, he did not record the accident. Gaston testified he 

“falsified the log.” On the day of the accident, Gaston’s truck was pulling “doubles,” two 

twenty-eight-feet-long trailers. The only training he received from Greenwood concerning 

doubles was “how to connect them.” After that, Gaston “learn[ed] how to operate the Doubles 

by getting out on the road and getting experience.” 

Bush introduced the deposition testimony of Thames Do, who testified that, on December 

16, 2003, Gaston rear-ended him “on the rear of the left side and caused the damage on the left 

rear side, you know, in the signal lights.” After the accident, Do stopped on the side of the 

freeway and waited for “the driver of the semi truck to stop it,” but the driver did not stop. Do 

followed the truck “for several miles at least” and recorded the license number of the truck. 

Meanwhile, Do was honking his horn and flashing his lights, but the truck did not stop. The next 

day, Do filed a police report and contacted Greenwood. After Do sent Greenwood an estimate 
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for repair of the damage, pictures of the damage, “the serial number of the truck and everything, 

Greenwood denied Do’s claim. Do sued Greenwood in Dallas small claims court, and 

Greenwood offered to settle his claim. Greenwood determined the accident between Gaston and 

Do was “preventable” and notified Gaston of this determination in February 2004.

Oscar Reyna testified that, in April 2007, he was driving on a bridge on Interstate 20 

when Gaston came up behind him, jackknifed his trailer, and hit Reyna from behind, causing 

Reyna to hit the vehicle in front of him. Gaston was ticketed for failure to control speed. Again, 

Greenwood notified Gaston the accident was ruled as “preventable” by Greenwood.

Whitney Morgan testified he audited Gaston’s logs “not only for what the logs say on the 

face of the log for completeness purposes but also against any time or date relevant operational 

documents of the motor carrier.” Morgan described “pattern logging” as “a term of art in the 

industry that deals with information on the driver’s log that is the same on each log, each day, 

day in and day out.” Morgan reviewed Gaston’s logs relating to a five-month period and found 

pattern logging was present: Gaston was “averaging the exact same speed every single day that 

he drove, 61 miles an hour.” Morgan testified the presence of pattern logging was “a red flag” 

that “should give the carrier notice that there may be a problem with these logs.” 

The jury found (1) Gaston’s negligence proximately caused the occurrence in question, 

and Bush’s did not; (2) Gaston was 100% responsible for the occurrence; (3) Greenwood’s 

negligence in entrusting a vehicle to an incompetent or reckless driver proximately caused the 

occurrence; (4) Greenwood’s negligence in retaining or supervising an incompetent or unfit 

employee proximately caused the occurrence; (5) Greenwood was negligent in failing to provide 

training beyond that which was given, and such negligence was a proximate cause of the 

occurrence because the negligence of the driver whom Greenwood failed to properly train was a

proximate cause of the collision; (6) the harm to Bush resulted from gross negligence attributable 
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to Gaston; and (7) the harm to Bush resulted from gross negligence attributable to Greenwood. 

The jury charge did not contain a spoliation instruction. In accordance with the jury’s verdict, 

the trial court entered judgment awarding Bush $4,088,669.28 in actual damages, $50,000 in 

punitive damages, and interest. This appeal followed.

In his first issue, Gaston argues the trial court erred by not allowing him a jury of his 

peers, which denied appellants their right to a fair trial. Specifically, Gaston argues the trial 

court “struck for cause all jurors who would not affirmatively commit to award limitless noneconomic damages to Bush.” In addition, Gaston complains other venire members were stricken 

because “they generally question lawsuits and favor tort reform” or because they “had 

sympathies toward trucking companies.” Gaston complains the trial court erred in allowing 

Bush to “systematically remove from the panel dozens of venire members she found unfavorable 

to her before ever having to utilize a single peremptory strike.” Gaston argues this violated his 

right to due process and to a jury trial under the United States Constitution and the Texas 

Constitution, “by denying Gaston his right to a jury selected from a fair and reasonable crosssection of the community.” Gaston argues none of the jurors stricken for cause “expressed a bias 

or prejudice because of their lack of commitment to a damages award.”

Regarding the disqualification of jurors, the trial court stated the following:

The Court, I believe, made clear that with respect to the award of damages, that 

the Court was not considering those who had testified that they couldn’t award 

millions of dollars for one thing or another as being disqualified, but that the 

Court was considering those who said they couldn’t award, at all, certain types of 

damages, even if the evidence supported it, and they had an opportunity to have 

such a question. So, I do want to make clear that with respect to the cause 

challenges, that the Court did not consider any of those who said that they – to be 

disqualified, who said that they couldn’t award hundreds of thousands of dollars, 

or whatever the question was, for certain types of – I think they were mental 

anguish and pain and suffering.

The record further reflects that, during voir dire, some of the stricken venire members, when 

asked whether the amount of money someone can recover in a lawsuit should be limited, agreed 
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“regardless of the evidence, the instructions of the Court, [they] would place [their] own cap on 

it.” Other stricken venire members said they could not award damages for mental anguish or 

pain and suffering “regardless of the evidence or the instructions of the Court or the testimony 

and exhibits.” Still others said they “could not award punitive damages regardless of whether the 

facts, evidence and the law allowed for it.” Finally, one venireperson said he “generally d[id] 

not believe in lawsuits,” and another said he had strong connections to the trucking industry and 

financial relationships with the trucking industry, and he could not “set aside [his] positive 

connections and beliefs about the trucking industry.” Thus, contrary to Gaston’s argument, the 

record reflects the stricken members of the venire said they could not award any damages for 

certain types of claims, regardless of the evidence or the trial court’s instructions.

Further, Gaston did not object to the jury panel that was actually seated, only to the 

exclusion of the jurors stricken for cause. Even if challenges for cause are improperly sustained, 

no reversible error is presented unless appellant can show he or she was denied a trial by a fair 

and impartial jury. Solomon v. Steitler, 312 S.W.3d 46, 59 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2010, no 

pet.); City of Hawkins v. E.B. Germany & Sons, 425 S.W.2d 23, 26 (Tex. Civ. App.—Tyler 

1968, writ ref'd n.r.e.). Because Gaston did not object to any juror on the panel, it must be 

presumed that he was afforded a fair and impartial jury, and no harm could have resulted by 

reason of the court’s dismissal of the jurors stricken for cause. Solomon, 312 S.W.3d at 59. We 

overrule Gaston’s first issue.

In his second issue, Gaston argues the trial court’s judgment should be reversed because 

“the trial court abused its discretion in admitting purported expert testimony that tainted the jury 

throughout the course of trial.” Specifically, Gaston argues the trial court erred in admitting the 

police report and testimony of Officer Angela McCrory regarding causation. Gaston argues 

McCrory was not qualified to render opinions regarding accidents, she had no specialized 
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training or expertise in accident reconstruction, her opinions and report were not reliable, and 

there is “too great of a gap between the data relied on and her testimony.”

Gaston also complains of the trial court’s admission of testimony by accident 

reconstruction expert John Smith. Gaston argues Smith was “not qualified; his proposed 

testimony was not timely disclosed; and his testimony served no valid evidentiary purpose, is 

unreliable, would interfere with this Court’s sole authority to instruct the jury as to controlling 

law and the jury’s exclusive fact-finding responsibility, and is confusing, misleading, and 

otherwise unfairly prejudicial.” In addition, Gaston argues Smith’s testimony regarding 

destruction of evidence and MDT was speculative and should not have been considered by the 

jury, his video animation of the accident was not substantially similar to the accident, his 

accident reconstruction testimony was unreliable, and his testimony regarding the tarp not 

covering Bush’s taillights lacked foundation and should have been excluded as unreliable. In its 

first issue, Greenwood also attacks Smith’s testimony, incorporating Gaston’s arguments 

concerning the inadmissibility of Smith’s testimony generally and specifically attacking Smith’s 

testimony regarding spoliation and arguing Greenwood had no duty to preserve and the trial 

court improperly barred the presentation of evidence to rebut Bush’s accusations of spoliation.

Regarding spoliation, Greenwood argues Brookshire Bros. v. Aldridge, 438 S.W.3d 9, 29 

(Tex. 2014) “categorically shows a spoliation instruction was never an available sanction remedy 

and Bush had no right to offer any spoliation evidence, much less hold a spoliation mini-trial.” 

Aldridge, issued on July 3, 2014, held that evidence bearing solely on whether a party spoliated 

evidence or the party’s degree of culpability in doing so did not relate to a fact of consequence to 

the determination of the action. Id. at 26. The court in Aldridge held that the trial court 

determines whether evidence was spoliated and the proper remedy. Id. at 19. The trial court 

may hold an evidentiary hearing to assist the court in making spoliation findings, but not in the 
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presence of the jury. Id. at 20. Thus, Aldridge stands for the proposition that the trial court 

alone, outside the presence of the jury, should make a determination regarding spoliation and a 

suitable remedy. See id. at 19-29. However, because Greenwood did not object on this basis at 

trial, it has waived its complaint that, under Aldridge, the trial court should not have permitted 

any spoliation evidence to come before the jury. See St. Paul Lines v. Dal-Worth Tank Co., 974 

S.W.2d 51, 53 (Tex. 1998) (even though case appellant relied on was not yet the law at time of 

trial, appellant was obliged to lodge a timely objection to preserve error). 

Even if we were to apply Aldridge to the facts of this case, we would conclude the trial 

court did not err in admitting evidence of spoliation. Greenwood argues the following:

The specific spoliation accusation at issue concerns a “gap” in available electronic 

data, which [Bush] first raised over a year before trial in simultaneously-filed 

motions to compel and for sanctions. [Greenwood] explained to the trial court 

[Bush] had no evidence spoliation occurred and affirmatively proved no data ever 

existed (as opposed to destruction of previously created/recorded data).

Thus, Greenwood’s complaint focuses on the admission of evidence that the MDT on Gaston’s 

truck only provided information on the truck’s location and speed on the day of the accident up 

until approximately 3:00 p.m. and then the information stopped until approximately 1:00 or 2:00 

a.m.

The court in Aldridge recognized that “all references to missing evidence, whether lost 

due to a party’s spoliation or missing for some other reason, cannot and should not be 

foreclosed.” Aldridge, 438 S.W.3d at 26. To the extent permitted by the Texas Rules of 

Evidence, parties may present indirect evidence to attempt to prove the contents of missing 

evidence that is otherwise relevant to a claim or defense, such as a person's testimony about the 

content of a missing document, photo, or recording. Id. We note Aldridge addressed a situation 

in which the trial court did submit a spoliation instruction, which the court characterized as 

“tantamount to a death-penalty sanction.” Id. at 23. No spoliation instruction was submitted to 
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the jury in this case. Further, the existence of a “gap” in the MDT data that Gaston had to 

“assume” would have told “somebody” his speed at the time of the accident was relevant apart 

from any alleged spoliation. Bush argued, and the jury found, that Greenwood’s negligence in 

retaining or supervising an incompetent or unfit employee proximately caused the occurrence. 

Even assuming Greenwood is correct that the “gap” evidence merely showed that no MDT data 

ever existed, such evidence would be relevant to show that Greenwood negligently supervised 

Gaston. Under these circumstances, we would conclude the trial court did not abuse its 

discretion in admitting evidence of the “gap” in the MDT data. See id. at 27.

A trial judge’s decision to admit or exclude evidence is reviewed for abuse of discretion. 

Horizon/CMS Healthcare Corp. v. Auld, 34 S.W.3d 887, 906 (Tex. 2000). Unless the trial 

judge’s erroneous evidentiary ruling probably caused the rendition of an improper judgment, we 

will not reverse the ruling. Id. An appellate court must uphold the trial judge’s evidentiary 

ruling if there is any legitimate basis for it. Owens–Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Malone, 972 

S.W.2d 35, 43 (Tex. 1998). For an expert’s testimony to be admissible, the expert witness must 

be qualified to testify about “scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge,” TEX. R. EVID.

702, and the testimony must be relevant and based upon a reliable foundation. TXI Transp. Co. 

v. Hughes, 306 S.W.3d 230, 234 (Tex. 2010); Exxon Pipeline Co. v. Zwahr, 88 S.W.3d 623, 628 

(Tex. 2002). An expert’s testimony is relevant when it assists the jury in determining an issue or 

in understanding other evidence. TEX. R. EVID. 702. But, expert testimony based on an 

unreliable foundation or flawed methodology is unreliable and does not satisfy Rule 702’s 

relevancy requirement. E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. v. Robinson, 923 S.W.2d 549, 556–57 

(Tex.1995) (discussing TEX. R. EVID. 702).

When the reliability of an expert’s testimony is challenged, courts “‘should ensure that 

the [expert’s] opinion comports with the applicable professional standards.’” Helena Chem. Co. 
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v. Wilkins, 47 S.W.3d 486, 499 (Tex. 2001) (quoting Gammill v. Jack Williams Chevrolet, Inc., 

972 S.W.2d 713, 725–26 (Tex.1998)). To aid in that determination, the Texas Supreme Court 

has suggested several factors to consider when assessing the admissibility of expert testimony 

under Rule 702. The supreme court has emphasized, however, that these factors are nonexclusive, and that they do not fit every scenario. TXI, 306 S.W.3d at 235; Gammill, 972 S.W.2d 

at 726. These factors are particularly difficult to apply in vehicular accident cases involving 

accident reconstruction testimony. TXI, 306 S.W.3d at 235; Ford Motor Co. v. Ledesma, 242 

S.W.3d 32, 39 (Tex. 2007) (citing Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. v. Mendez, 204 S.W.3d 797, 802 

(Tex. 2006)); see also Gammill, 972 S.W.2d at 727. Nevertheless, the court, as gatekeeper, 

“must determine how the reliability of particular testimony is to be assessed.” Gammill, 972 

S.W.2d at 726. Rather than focus entirely on the reliability of the underlying technique used to 

generate the challenged opinion, as in Robinson, it is appropriate in cases like this to analyze 

whether the expert’s opinion actually fits the facts of the case. TXI, 306 S.W.3d at 235; 

Volkswagen of Am., Inc. v. Ramirez, 159 S.W.3d 897, 904–05 (Tex. 2004). In other words, we 

determine whether there are any significant analytical gaps in the expert’s opinion that 

undermine its reliability. TXI, 306 S.W.3d at 235.

Expert testimony is unreliable when “‘there is simply too great an analytical gap between 

the data and the opinion proffered.’” Ledesma, 242 S.W.3d at 39 (quoting Gen. Elec. Co. v. 

Joiner, 522 U.S. 136, 146 (1997)). Expert testimony is also unreliable if it is not grounded in 

scientific methods and procedures, but is rather based upon subjective belief or unsupported 

speculation. Coastal Transp. Co. v. Crown Cent. Petrol. Corp., 136 S.W.3d 227, 232 (Tex.

2004). Expert testimony lacking a proper foundation is incompetent, City of Keller v. Wilson, 

168 S.W.3d 802, 813 (Tex. 2005), and its admission is an abuse of discretion. Cooper Tire, 204 

S.W.3d at 800. The court’s ultimate task, however, is not to determine whether the expert’s 
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conclusions are correct, but rather whether the analysis the expert used to reach those 

conclusions is reliable and therefore admissible. Zwahr, 88 S.W.3d at 629 (citing Gammill, 972 

S.W.2d at 728).

McCrory testified by video deposition that she attended the Weatherford Police Academy 

and received training on accident investigation. Bush’s accident was “one of [McCrory’s] first 

major accidents,” and McCrory had a field training officer supervising her and looking over all 

of her final reports, including her report in this case. In response to questioning, McCrory agreed 

that Gaston’s truck required more distance to stop than an ordinary passenger vehicle, and 

Gaston violated the transportation code by failing to keep a safe distance from Bush’s vehicle 

and failing to drive at a speed that would have allowed him to avoid running into Bush’s vehicle. 

McCrory testified she was required to investigate accidents and create accident reports to help 

identify who was at fault in causing collisions. McCrory testified she created the accident report 

in this case as part of her duties as an officer for a public agency. McCrory testified it was 

raining, there was snow on the side of the road, and the speed limit was 55 where the collision 

occurred. When McCrory arrived at the scene, she saw Bush’s truck upside down and Gaston’s 

truck jackknifed “in the bar ditch.” Gaston told McCrory that he did not see the small truck 

ahead of him, and he tried to veer off as soon as he saw it. McCrory testified Gaston did not tell 

her that Bush did anything that caused or contributed to the collision. McCrory testified she 

believed the weather conditions contributed to the collision, but if Gaston had controlled his 

speed there would not have been an accident. Based on her conversations at the scene with Bush 

and Gaston, McCrory did not believe Bush was “in any way at fault for causing or contributing 

to the collision.” 
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Accident reports are admissible under Rule 803(8) as exceptions to the hearsay rule. TEX.

R. EVID. 803(8). Rule 803(8) provides for the admissibility of records, reports, statements, or 

data compilations, in any form, of public offices or agencies setting forth:

(A) the activities of the office or agency;

(B) matters observed pursuant to duty imposed by law as to which matters there 

was a duty to report, excluding in criminal cases matters observed by police 

officers and other law enforcement personnel; or

(C) in civil cases as to any party and in criminal cases as against the state, factual 

findings resulting from an investigation made pursuant to authority granted by 

law;

unless the sources of information or other circumstances indicate lack of 

trustworthiness.

TEX. R. EVID. 803(8). There is no evidence to show a lack of trustworthiness. Thus, the police 

report McCrory prepared was admissible. See id. Further, there is no analytical gap between the 

data and the opinions McCrory proffered. See Ledesma, 242 S.W.3d at 39. The data was that it 

was dark and raining, there was snow on the side of the road, the collision took place in a 

construction zone where the speed limit was lowered to 55, and the collision consisted of Gaston 

rear-ending Bush’s truck. There was no analytical gap between this data and the opinion that 

Gaston caused the collision by failing to control his speed. See id. The trial court did not abuse 

its discretion in admitting McCrory’s report and testimony.

Smith is a licensed professional engineer specializing in accident investigation, accident 

reconstruction, and biomechanics including analysis of injury, causation, and occupant 

kinematics. Smith testified he has performed over 2300 accident reconstructions, 1500 to 2000 

biomechanical analyses, and “over a thousand” analyses of rear impacts. Smith testified GPS 

data “absolutely” plays a role in accident reconstruction and provides information concerning 

speed, “paths vehicles took,” and a vehicle’s starting point. In 1985 or 1986, Smith was “one of 

the first people in the world to use GPS” under the auspices of the Defense Mapping Agency, of 
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which Smith was a graduate. Smith testified the MDT used a “differential GPS” system that 

“track[ed] things based on two given locations” and was able to determine speed. Smith 

reviewed the deposition of Mark Vance, former “director of MDT” at Greenwood, and the MDT 

user manual and mechanic’s manual. Smith reviewed data from the MDT in Gaston’s truck and 

found data missing from “after lunch” on the day of the accident until after the accident at 10:09 

p.m. The data loss occurred exactly at the end of a page, which “didn’t seem right” to Smith. 

Smith testified the odds were “1 and 100 million” of a “catastrophic malfunction” of the MDT 

occurring simultaneously with a page break and a collision. Thus, Smith contended, the 

“evidence went missing at the hands of” Greenwood. 

Smith also reviewed photographs of the vehicles, “tire marks on the roadways,” “what 

the people had to say about how the collision occurred,” the police report, and medical records. 

Smith also “looked at the scene and the slope of the scene and what the roads are made out of.” 

Smith applied the collected data “to scientific principles and engineering principles in order to 

come up with” his opinions and the animation he created. Smith concluded the damage to 

Bush’s truck was “consistent and indicative of a rear-end collision of high speed.” To the extent 

Smith testified concerning a tarp not covering Bush’s taillights, such testimony merely echoed 

Bush’s own testimony. Further, as Smith stated, the issue of whether Gaston saw Bush’s 

taillights was not relevant because Gaston testified he saw Bush’s truck. In fact, Gaston testified 

Bush’s taillights were not covered by a tarp. Considering Smith’s qualifications and the support 

his testimony found in the evidence, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in 

allowing his testimony. See Auld, 34 S.W.3d at 906.

To the extent Greenwood argues it had no duty to preserve MDT data, Greenwood 

supports this argument by stating it offered evidence that “no data was ever recorded, such that 

there was no evidence to preserve.” First, whether or not Greenwood had a duty to preserve, the 
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point of Smith’s testimony was that only the data from the time surrounding the accident was 

missing, and this indicated the relevant data had been intentionally removed. Second, Smith 

addressed the issue of the MDT failing to record only at the time surrounding the collision and 

testified the odds were “1 and 100 million” of the failure occurring at the end of a page and at the 

time of a collision. Greenwood further argues it was barred from offering rebuttal evidence that 

would have shown the MDT was “malfunctioning before, at the time of, and after the accident 

due to a power supply problem.” In support of this argument, Greenwood cites several pages of 

the record generally. At one point in the cited pages, the judge states, “I have already excluded 

the notion that [the MDT] didn’t record as the answer, it is possible to advance the notion that it 

is an explanation, but not that here is the answer.” While it is not entirely clear, it appears the 

court’s ruling did not preclude Greenwood from raising the issue that the MDT did not record. 

We find no abuse of discretion. See id. We overrule Greenwood’s first issue.

As to the video animation, we note the video was not admitted into evidence but was 

shown during Smith’s testimony for demonstrative purposes. Defense counsel objected “on the 

grounds of 403.” Smith testified he measured Gaston’s truck and two similar trailers “in order to 

get data to fill in the animation.” It was not possible to “match tire to track,” but Smith made a 

generalized analysis of marks on the roadway he described as an “approximation.” Smith 

testified the animation was not a simulation and “not an exact replication of what happened,” but 

it was “an accurate representation of what occurred.” Earlier in the trial, Smith was allowed to 

express his underlying opinion without objection when the testimony was presented to the jury. 

Since the animation was a graphic depiction of the opinion admitted into evidence without 

objection, Greenwood’s trial objection to the video depiction of that opinion was waived. N. Am. 

Van Lines, Inc. v. Emmons, 50 S.W.3d 103, 130 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2001, pet. denied). 

Video animation and other demonstrative evidence that “summarize, or perhaps emphasize, 
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testimony are admissible if the underlying testimony has been admitted into evidence, or is 

subsequently admitted into evidence.” Id. (quoting Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Co. v. Martinez, 977 

S.W.2d 328, 342 (Tex. 1998)). We overrule Gaston’s second issue.

In its second issue, Greenwood argues the trial court abused its discretion in allowing 

Morgan to testify that Gaston was a “habitual speeder,” he engaged in “pattern logging,” he was 

reckless, and he had a history of rear-end collisions. Greenwood argues Morgan’s testimony 

“failed reliability and relevance, interfered with the trial court’s sole instructing-the-jury-on-thelaw authority and the jury’s exclusive fact-finding responsibility and was confusing, misleading, 

and unfairly prejudicial.” Greenwood further argues the trial court abused its discretion in 

admitting Morgan’s testimony that Greenwood failed to monitor, train, or supervise Gaston and 

that Greenwood’s failure to follow internal company policies and procedures was “tantamount to 

negligence.” 

Our ultimate task is not to determine whether an expert’s conclusions are correct, but 

rather whether the analysis the expert used to reach those conclusions is reliable and therefore 

admissible. TXI Transp. Co. v. Hughes, 306 S.W.3d 230, 239 (Tex. 2010). Upon his graduation 

from college in 1975, Morgan went to work for the U.S. Department of Transportation. He 

trained at the Transportation Safety Institute in Oklahoma City. As part of that job, Morgan 

investigated and reconstructed “catastrophic-type commercial motor vehicle accidents and 

hazardous material accidents.” Morgan also performed “safety compliance reviews of all 

different types of motor carriers and shippers who shipped or transported hazardous materials.” 

At the time of trial, Morgan testified he had “almost 40 years” of experience with “the laws, the 

rules, safety rules, and things like that, as applied to a trucking company.”

Morgan reviewed Gaston’s logs relating to a five-month period and testified the logs 

showed “pattern logging” was present: Gaston averaged the same speed every day he drove. The 
–17–

presence of pattern logging, he testified should have given Greenwood notice that there might be 

a problem with the logs. Had Greenwood audited the logs and discovered the pattern logging, 

under its policies and procedures it “would warrant disciplinary action up to and including 

termination.” In addition, GPS data Morgan reviewed showed Gaston exceeded 73 miles per 

hour sixty-three times and that was not, in Gaston’s opinion, the driving pattern of a reasonably 

prudent truck driver. Morgan testified it was his opinion that Greenwood improperly entrusted 

to Gaston the tractor-trailer that hit Bush “due to his history.” The record shows Morgan’s 

testimony was based on information maintained by Greenwood and Greenwood’s own policies 

and procedures. We conclude Morgan’s analysis, based on that information, was reliable and 

therefore admissible. See Hughes, 306 S.W.3d at 239. The trial court, therefore, did not abuse 

its discretion in admitting Morgan’s testimony. See Auld, 34 S.W.3d at 906. We overrule 

Greenwood’s second issue.

In its fourth issue, Greenwood argues the trial court erred in admitting the “preventability 

assessments” showing Greenwood determined this accident and accidents in 2003 and 2007 were 

“preventable.” The documents at issue are internal Greenwood-generated documents sent to 

Gaston determining the accidents in question were preventable and asking Gaston to sign either 

in agreement or disagreement with that determination. The documents were admitted as 

admissions by a party opponent. Rule 801(e)(2) is straightforward: subject to other Rules of 

Evidence that may limit admissibility, any statement by a party-opponent is admissible against 

that party. TEX. R. EVID 801(e)(2); Bay Area Healthcare Grp., Ltd. v. McShane, 239 S.W.3d 

231, 235 (Tex. 2007). Under these circumstances, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its 

discretion in admitting the preventability assessments. See Auld, 34 S.W.3d at 906. We overrule 

Greenwood’s fourth issue.
–18–

In its fifth issue, Greenwood argues the trial court erred in allowing Bush’s counsel, in 

his opening statement and during the questioning of a witness, to call Greenwood a “billiondollar corporation.” The record indicates Bush’s counsel, during his opening statement, 

described Greenwood as a company with “billions of dollars a year in revenue” and a “billiondollar corporation.” During his questioning of Morgan, Bush’s counsel once again identified 

Greenwood as a “billion-dollar company.” Greenwood did not make a timely objection to any of 

the three instances where Bush’s counsel referred to it as a “billion-dollar corporation.” 

Appellate complaints of improper jury argument must be preserved by timely objection and 

request for an instruction that the jury disregard the improper remark. TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1; 

Phillips v. Bramlett, 288 S.W.3d 876, 883 (Tex. 2009). Because Greenwood’s objections were 

not timely, we conclude this issue is not preserved for our review. Phillips, 288 S.W.3d at 883. 

We overrule Greenwood’s fifth issue.

In his fourth issue, Gaston argues the trial court abused its discretion in admitting a 

“summary” of Gaston’s testimony. Specifically, Gaston argues the admission of an exhibit 

summarizing his testimony violates rule of evidence 1006, which provides for the admission of 

summaries of voluminous materials. TEX. R. EVID. 1006. However, Gaston’s counsel objected 

to the admission of the summary by saying “It’s not evidence. He’s testified.” Because Gaston 

did not raise his complaint regarding rule 1006 at trial, he has not preserved this issue for our 

review. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1(a)(1); Keith v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 285 S.W.3d 588, 590 

(Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, no pet.). We overrule Gaston’s fourth issue.

In his fifth issue, Gaston argues the trial court abused its discretion by excluding video 

and photographic materials his expert, Robert Swint, relied upon in forming his opinions. Swint 

testified he had analyzed “between 700 and 1000” tractor-trailer accidents. Swint testified he 

saw no evidence of a rear impact between a tractor trailer and Bush’s truck. Gaston’s counsel 
–19–

stated he had some “short videos” about testing Swint performed with the Minnesota Department 

of Transportation and photographs of a pickup truck involved in a rear-end collision. The trial 

court questioned defense counsel and determined the testing “was not done in relation to this 

accident,” and the photograph was “not the same pickup truck, make and model, as involved in 

the Bush Gaston accident.” The trial court concluded the videos and photographs were “not 

relevant based on [their] dissimilarity to the case at bar.” Gaston does not dispute that the videos 

and photographs did not depict the same or similar vehicles involved in the accident in this case. 

See Waldrip, 380 S.W.3d at 134 (concluding expert testimony not sufficiently similar to truck at 

issue distracted jury). We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding the 

videos and photographs. See Auld, 34 S.W.3d at 906. We overrule Gaston’s fifth issue.

Gaston further argues the trial court abused its discretion in excluding evidence of 

Gaston’s good driving record after the accident. Gaston made an offer of proof that he had not 

had “any speeding tickets or accidents since December 5, 2011.” The trial court excluded this 

testimony as “irrelevant.” We agree. Gaston has not demonstrated in what way Gaston’s driving 

record following the accident was relevant to the issues arising out of the accident itself. The 

trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding this evidence. See id. 

In his sixth issue, Gaston argues the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence 

of prior bad acts allegedly committed by Gaston. Specifically, Gaston complains of the 

admission of evidence regarding a speeding ticket he received in his personal vehicle, his 

disciplinary record, allegations of pattern logging, and accidents allegedly occurring in 2003 and 

2007. One of Bush’s theories was that Greenwood negligently entrusted the tractor trailer to 

Gaston. One issue in determining negligent entrustment was whether Greenwood knew or 

should have known that Gaston was unlicensed, incompetent, or reckless. Williams v. Steves 

Indus., Inc., 699 S.W.2d 570, 571 (Tex. 1985). Thus, the complained-of evidence of bad acts 
–20–

were relevant to Greenwood’s knowledge of Gaston’s recklessness. See id. The trial court did 

not abuse its discretion in admitting this evidence. See Auld, 34 S.W.3d at 906.

In his seventh issue, Gaston argues the trial court abused its discretion by “allowing Bush 

to make an improper and prejudicial argument about the details of a prior case involving Robert 

Swint and Appellants’ counsel.” On cross-examination, Bush’s counsel asked Swint about his 

expert testimony in another case involving the issue of “a phantom truck appearing out of 

nowhere and killing somebody.” Swint answered that “The phantom truck didn’t kill anybody.” 

Counsel asked whether Swint’s testimony “involved some phantom truck.” Swint answered that 

“there was testimony to that,” and his opinion was the accident in that case was consistent with 

someone “not falling asleep but avoiding an event. And that was consistent with a phantom 

vehicle.” Counsel asked if it was “the phantom vehicle that caused it in [his] opinion,” and 

Swint answered, “I think so.” Defense counsel did not object to this line of questioning.

In his closing argument, Bush’s counsel again referred to the “phantom truck that killed 

the preacher” and stated Swint “testified about a phantom truck six weeks ago.” Defense counsel 

objected that this was outside the record and had nothing to do with this case, and constituted 

improper argument. The trial court stated, “I believe that he testified about another case” and 

instructed Bush’s counsel to “move along.” Bush’s counsel again stated that “the phantom truck 

came up six weeks ago,” and defense counsel addressed the court. The trial court told defense 

counsel “he testified about that,” and concluded, “Overruled.” Once the evidence was in the 

record—without objection or a request that it be stricken or that the jury be instructed to 

disregard—it was in for all purposes and a proper subject of closing argument. In re Toyota 

Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., 407 S.W.3d 746, 760 (Tex. 2013). Thus, the trial court did not abuse 

its discretion in allowing Bush’s counsel to raise the “phantom truck issue” in closing argument. 

See id.; Auld, 34 S.W.3d at 906. We overrule Gaston’s seventh issue.
–21–

In Gaston’s first issue and Greenwood’s third issue, they attack the legal and factual 

sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury’s verdict. Specifically, Gaston challenges (1) the 

jury’s finding that the harm to Bush resulted from gross negligence committed by Gaston and

attributable to Greenwood and (2) the jury’s findings that Gaston’s negligence proximately 

caused the occurrence in question, Bush’s negligence did not proximately cause the occurrence, 

and Gaston was 100% responsible for the occurrence. Greenwood also challenges the jury’s 

finding regarding gross negligence and the findings that Greenwood’s negligence proximately 

caused the occurrence under negligent entrustment, negligent supervision/retention, and 

negligent training theories. Neither Gaston nor Greenwood challenges the sufficiency of the 

evidence to support Bush’s actual damages.

We note Greenwood also argues “The Separation of Powers Doctrine proscribes an 

imposition of exemplary damages in the current circumstances.” However, Greenwood fails to 

support this two-paragraph argument with any citation to the record or to legal authority. Failure 

to cite applicable authority or provide substantive analysis waives an issue on appeal. Huey v. 

Huey, 200 S.W.3d 851, 854 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, no pet.). Accordingly, we will not further 

address this argument.

When a party attacks the legal sufficiency of an adverse finding on an issue on which the 

party has the burden of proof, such as whether Bush’s negligence proximately caused the 

occurrence, the party must demonstrate on appeal that the evidence establishes, as a matter of 

law, all vital facts in support of the issue. Dow Chem. Co. v. Francis, 46 S.W.3d 237, 241 (Tex. 

2001). When a party attacks the legal sufficiency of the evidence on which the party did not 

have the burden of proof, such as whether Gaston was grossly negligent and his gross negligence 

was attributable to Greenwood, the party must demonstrate that there is no evidence to support 

the adverse findings. Croucher v. Croucher, 660 S.W.2d 55, 58 (Tex. 1983); EMC Mortg. Co. v. 
–22–

Jones, 252 S.W.3d 857, 866 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2008, no pet.). In reviewing a no evidence 

challenge, we consider the evidence “in the light most favorable to the verdict, crediting 

favorable evidence if reasonable jurors could, and disregarding contrary evidence unless 

reasonable jurors could not.” City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 807 (Tex. 2005); Jones, 

252 S.W.3d at 866. We are not permitted to weigh the evidence or make credibility 

determinations. Jones, 252 S.W.3d at 866. The jury’s finding on an issue may be upheld on 

circumstantial evidence as long as it may fairly and reasonably be inferred from the facts. Id. If 

there is more than a scintilla of evidence to support the finding, the no evidence challenge fails. 

Id.

When an appellant challenges the factual sufficiency of the evidence on an issue, we 

consider all the evidence supporting and contradicting the finding. Fulgham v. Fischer, 349 

S.W.3d 153, 157-58 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2011, no pet.) (citing Plas–Tex, Inc. v. U.S. Steel Corp., 

772 S.W.2d 442, 445 (Tex. 1989)). We set aside the finding for factual insufficiency only if the 

finding is so contrary to the evidence as to be clearly wrong and manifestly unjust. Id. (citing 

Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986) (per curiam)). The factfinder is the sole judge of 

the credibility of the witnesses. Id. As long as the evidence falls “within the zone of reasonable 

disagreement,” we will not substitute our judgment for that of the fact-finder. Id. (quoting City 

of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 822).

In reviewing an award for exemplary damages, we conduct a legal sufficiency review 

under the “clear and convincing” evidence standard. U-Haul Int’l, Inc. v. Waldrip, 380 S.W.3d 

118, 137 (Tex. 2012) (citing S.W. Bell Telephone Co. v. Garza, 164 S.W.3d 607, 609 Tex. 

2004)). “Clear and convincing’ means the measure or degree of proof that will produce in the 

mind of the trier of fact a firm belief or conviction as to the truth of the allegations sought to be 

established.” TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 41.001(2); In re J.F.C., 96 S.W.3d 256, 264 
–23–

(Tex. 2002). Gross negligence consists of both objective and subjective elements. See Lee 

Lewis Constr., Inc. v. Harrison, 70 S.W.3d 778, 785 (Tex. 2001). Plaintiffs must prove by clear 

and convincing evidence that 1) when viewed objectively from the defendant’s standpoint at the 

time of the event, the act or omission involved an extreme degree of risk, considering the 

probability and magnitude of the potential harm to others and 2) the defendant had actual, 

subjective awareness of the risk involved, but nevertheless proceeded with conscious 

indifference to the rights, safety, or welfare of others. See id.; TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM.CODE 

§ 41.001(11); State v. Shumake, 199 S.W.3d 279, 287 (Tex. 2006) (citing Transp. Ins. Co. v. 

Moriel, 879 S.W.2d 10, 21 (Tex. 1994)).

Under the objective component, “extreme risk” is not a remote possibility or even a high 

probability of minor harm, but rather the likelihood of the plaintiff's serious injury. Mobil Oil 

Corp. v. Ellender, 968 S.W.2d 917, 921 (Tex. 1998); Harrison, 70 S.W.3d at 785. The 

subjective prong, in turn, requires that the defendant knew about the risk, but that the defendant’s 

acts or omissions demonstrated indifference to the consequences of its acts. La.-Pac. Corp. v. 

Andrade, 19 S.W.3d 245, 246–47 (Tex. 1999); Wal–Mart Stores, Inc. v. Alexander, 868 S.W.2d 

322, 326 (Tex. 1993).

Both Gaston and Greenwood premise their sufficiency challenges on the exclusion of 

McCrory’s, Smith’s, and Morgan’s testimony, arguing their testimony constituted “no evidence.” 

We have already concluded the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the testimony 

of McCrory, Smith, and Morgan. The record shows Bush testified she was driving “a few” 

below the speed limit in the right lane when Gaston rear-ended her truck, causing it to flip over 

and injuring her. Gaston admitted rear-ending Bush. Greenwood stipulated that Greenwood was 

Gaston’s “statutory employer” and there was “no dispute about the respondeat superior, 

Greenwood for Gaston.” 
–24–

McCrory testified Gaston violated the transportation code by failing to keep a safe 

distance from Bush’s vehicle and failing to drive at a speed that would have allowed him to 

avoid running into Bush’s vehicle. Based on her conversations at the scene with Bush and 

Gaston, McCrory did not believe Bush was “in any way at fault for causing or contributing to the 

collision.” We conclude this evidence was legally and factually sufficient to support the jury’s 

findings that Gaston’s negligence proximately caused the occurrence in question, Bush’s 

negligence did not proximately cause the occurrence, and Gaston was 100% responsible for the 

occurrence. Jones, 252 S.W.3d at 866; Fulgham, 349 S.W.3d at 157-58.

Regarding the jury’s gross negligence finding, the evidence showed it was raining and 

there was snow by the side of the road when the accident occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. in 

a construction zone where the speed limit was reduced to 55 miles per hour. GPS data Morgan 

reviewed showed Gaston had exceeded 73 miles per hour sixty-three times previously, and 

McCrory testified if Gaston had controlled his speed there would not have been an accident. 

Gaston was not qualified to operate the “doubles” he was driving. Twice before, in 2003 and 

2007, Gaston had rear-ended other vehicles. Greenwood was aware of both prior accidents and 

determined both accidents were “preventable.” Gaston engaged in “pattern logging,” and this 

should have given Greenwood “notice that there may be a problem with these logs.” Morgan 

testified it was his opinion that Greenwood improperly entrusted to Gaston the tractor-trailer that 

hit Bush “due to his history.” We conclude this evidence was legally and factually sufficient to 

prove by clear and convincing evidence that Gaston was grossly negligent in the operation of his 

truck and that Greenwood was grossly negligent in entrusting the truck to Gaston, failing to 

supervise him, retaining him as a driver, and failing to adequately train him. See Harrison, 70 

S.W.3d at 785; Jones, 252 S.W.3d at 866; Fulgham, 349 S.W.3d at 157-58. We overrule 

Gaston’s first issue and Greenwood’s third issue.
–25–

We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

141148F.P05

/David L. Bridges/

DAVID L. BRIDGES

JUSTICE
–26–

Court of Appeals

S

Fifth District of Texas at Dallas

JUDGMENT

GREENWOOD MOTOR LINES, INC. 

D/B/A R+L CARRIERS AND STEVEN C. 

GASTON, Appellants

No. 05-14-01148-CV V.

BOBBIE BUSH, Appellee

On Appeal from the 298th Judicial District 

Court, Dallas County, Texas

Trial Court Cause No. DC-11-16041-M.

Opinion delivered by Justice Bridges. 

Justices Stoddart and O'Neill participating.

In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is 

AFFIRMED.

It is ORDERED that appellee BOBBIE BUSH recover her costs of this appeal from 

appellant GREENWOOD MOTOR LINES, INC. D/B/A R+L CARRIERS AND STEVEN C. 

GASTON.

Judgment entered this 28th day of April, 2017.