Carlos R., a 33-year-old hardworking journeyman plumber, woke up early as usual on December 6, 2022, in his home in North Sacramento. He checked on his two children, ages 10 and 6, told his fiancée he loved her, and headed out the door to work. Carlos was a loving, present, and supportive father who adored his children and made them his number one priority. Their household was full of love and laughter, with Carlos spending every moment of his non-working hours with his family. He made sure to carve out one-on-one time with his children every day, forging a deep and special relationship with both. They called him “Pappa Bear” and the name suited him well – Carlos was fiercely protective while parenting with a soft touch.
Minutes after leaving the house that morning, Carlos received a call from his brother, whose pickup truck had run out of gas nearby on Interstate 5 and needed help. Carlos immediately joined his brother on the shoulder of the freeway with a gas can, and the two began filling the truck’s tank.
A City of Sacramento police detective was traveling on Interstate 5, in the far-right lane, at 70 mph, when he violated the rules of the road. He allowed his car to drift over the fog line and enter the shoulder, where he hit the disabled truck and then struck Carlos and his brother, killing them both.
The detective initially gave a false account to the responding California Highway Patrol officers, claiming that the two men, and their open car door, were in the travel lane. This was proven false by a dashcam video provided by a tanker truck driver that captured the entire incident.
Carlos’ fiancée, Jessica R., sought out Demas Law Group to represent their two children. Knowing that achieving full justice would require putting the case in front of a jury, John Demas and Tim Spangler went to work building the foundation of what would become a monumental verdict “for all time.”
The Defendants ultimately conceded that they were 100% responsible for Carlos’ death. The police detective skirted any serious criminal penalty, and the civil lawsuit became the only path to justice for the family. Jessica R. was steadfast in her commitment to obtaining the best possible result for her young children and bravely rejected several significant settlement offers (including one that was made during trial) in order to let the jury decide the outcome.
The issues at trial narrowed further when the Defendants agreed to the economic damages analysis prepared by the forensic economist hired by Demas Law Group. The jury was tasked only with deciding the non-economic damages – the value of the loss of the relationship between the children and their father. Proving this loss required Mr. Demas and Mr. Spangler to put on compelling evidence demonstrating the quality and character of the love, companionship, comfort, care, assistance, protection, affection, society, moral support, training, and guidance that Carlos provided, and would have continued to provide, to his children during his 45-year life expectancy. The development of the damages case required hours of interviews, analysis of a decade of financial documents, and poring over hundreds of photographs and hours of video footage. Jury selection was key to success in the case and Mr. Demas worked for months to develop probing questions and juror profiles in order to ensure fair jurors that would only consider the evidence and law and not the multitude of other considerations that can sabotage trial results.
Ultimately, the DLG trial team was able to distill the most powerful evidence into 3 witnesses, 70 photographs, and 15 clips, combined with a detailed closing argument providing the jury with a detailed roadmap showing them how to reach a full value verdict. The jury deliberated for just over an hour before returning with a historic verdict — $32,160,957 for Carlos and Jessica’s now 10- and 14-year-old children.
“The jury’s verdict proves the magnitude of the loss and shows the value our community places on human life. The only path to justice was having the jury hear about what an incredible human being and father Carlos R. was. “ – John Demas
This case is an example of what can be achieved when attorney and client develop a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and an unwavering commitment to seeking full accountability. DLG is honored to represent this family and secure the future for two children who are forever changed by an unthinkable tragedy.
About Demas Law Group – Sacramento Wrongful Death Trial Lawyers
Demas Law Group, P.C. is a Sacramento-based personal injury law firm focused on representing individuals and families in serious injury and wrongful death cases throughout Northern California. Our attorneys are experienced trial lawyers who prepare every case as if it will go before a jury.
In wrongful death cases, families are often faced with life-altering loss and complex legal challenges, especially when claims involve public entities such as the City of Sacramento. Our firm has extensive experience handling lawsuits against government agencies, including cases involving police misconduct, dangerous road conditions, and preventable fatal incidents.
We have built a reputation for delivering exceptional client service, maintaining consistent communication, and pursuing full accountability through the civil justice system. Our team approach ensures that every client benefits from the collective experience, strategy, and resources of the entire firm, not just a single attorney.
If you are searching for a Sacramento wrongful death attorney, a personal injury trial lawyer in Sacramento, or guidance after a fatal accident, our firm is available to help you understand your rights and options.
