Opinion ID: 1952376
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Fisher's Injury Facts of Accident

Text: On July 31, 1992, all members of Crew 2 had been picked up by Pitts as usual. The members of Crew 2 completed a job on the Dukes' farm at approximately one o'clock in the afternoon. The crew could not leave the site, however, because of a malfunction in the 1980 Ford van's transmission. Pitts called Reid for alternate transportation. Reid arrived in a 1979 Chevrolet pickup truck between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m. The bed of the 1979 truck was similar to the 1985 truck that was regularly used to transport the members of Crew 1. It was covered with a pick-up top and contained bus seats that did not have seatbelts. Reid drove and Pitts sat in the cab with him. Fisher and six other employees sat in the back bed of the pickup truck. Reid proceeded southbound on State Route 5 in Sussex County, Delaware. As part of his weighmaster's job, Reid was required to go to Townsends' processing plant in Millsboro at the end of each day to receive a Flock Movement Sheet for the next day's work. Reid was on his way to obtain such a work order when the accident occurred that injured Fisher. It took place approximately .3 miles south of Harbeson, Delaware. Reid approached the back of a vehicle driven by Cheryl Tucker (Tucker). Tucker testified that she saw Reid's truck through her rearview mirror. According to Tucker, Reid's vehicle appeared to be traveling extremely fast and she believed the Reid truck was going to strike her. Tucker moved to the shoulder of the road. Tucker observed Reid's truck swerve into the northbound lane and strike a telephone pole. As a result of the accident, Fisher suffered serious injuries. He was hospitalized for more than four months. He is now a C-5 quadriplegic.