World Cup Soccer Player Wins $1.2M for Car Crash

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A former World Cup soccer player won a $1.2 million jury award for an accident on the highway in which he was hit by wheels that came loose off of a truck.

Manuel Vasquez was driving a limo taking a client to the airport when a wheel assembly weighing 800 pounds came loose from a tractor-trailer. The wheels bounced over the median line, damaged six cars and crushed Vasquez’ vehicle.

Vasquez sued the owner and operator of the big rig for not maintaining the vehicle properly. The defendants, Edward Robinson and Fleet Car Lease, argued all the blame should be put on the mechanic who botched brake repairs on the truck by putting a set of spindle nuts on backwards.

But Vasquez’ attorney, John Mills, of the Mills Law Firm, argued that it was the responsibility of the truck owner and operator to hire a qualified mechanic rather than a “fly-by-night” repairman.

According to Mills, the mechanic, Orlando Otero and Road Service Network, was uninsured and repaired the truck on the street rather than in a proper repair shop.

An expert on trucking safety testified at trial that the driver was also at fault for not stopping even after he saw smoke coming from the rear wheels just before the accident.

Attorney John Mills

Mills said he was pleased with the verdict which will help his client with his medical bills but won’t bring back his ability to enjoy some of the things he used to.

“There was no dispute that Mr. Vasquez was severely injured, requiring multiple surgeries that left him unable to return to all of his life’s activities, including soccer, which was so important to him as a former World Cup soccer player,” Mills said.