--- title: "Jury Rejects Product Defect Claim in Highway Crash Case" meta: "og:description": "A Connecticut jury cleared Daimler Trucks of liability in a crash causing quadriplegia, finding the Freightliner’s lack of safety tech was not a product defect." "og:title": "Jury Rejects Product Defect Claim in Highway Crash Case " description: "A Connecticut jury cleared Daimler Trucks of liability in a crash causing quadriplegia, finding the Freightliner’s lack of safety tech was not a product defect." --- January 27, 2026 # **Jury Rejects Product Defect Claim in Highway Crash Case ** A Connecticut jury cleared Daimler Trucks of liability in a crash causing quadriplegia, finding the Freightliner’s lack of safety tech was not a product defect. [**Personal Injury**](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-/jury-verdict/category/personal-injury) [**Products Liability**](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-/jury-verdict/category/products-liability) ### **Outline** Author ![](https://media.jurimatic.com/cdn-cgi/image/q=70/profile_images/shared_image_1.webp) **Sohini Chakraborty****Sohini Chakraborty is a lawyer, with over two years of experience in legal research and analysis. She specializes in working closely with expert witnesses, offering critical support in preparing legal research and detailed case studies.** ![Article Image](https://media.jurimatic.com/cdn-cgi/image/q=70/images/HUNTER_SCHLEY.webp) In a high-stakes product liability battle, a Connecticut jury returned a defense verdict for Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) following a catastrophic collision that left a passenger paralyzed. The case stemmed from an April 2016 incident where a 2014 Hino box truck overturned on Route 8 in Waterbury, only to be struck moments later by a 2016 Freightliner tractor-trailer. Schley M. Hunter, who was trapped inside the overturned vehicle during the second impact, sustained traumatic spinal cord injuries resulting in permanent quadriplegia. The Plaintiffs argued that the Freightliner was defectively designed because it lacked autonomous emergency braking and collision-avoidance systems that could have detected the stationary truck in the darkness. They further alleged that the vehicle's headlight illumination was insufficient for highway speeds. However, the defense successfully contended that the truck met all federal safety standards and that the collision resulted from environmental factors and driver timing rather than mechanical or design failure. On December 17, 2025, the jury found in favor of the Defendant, awarding no damages to the Plaintiffs. ## **Case Background** This legal battle began after a devastating highway collision on April 22, 2016, around 4:00 a.m. Schley M. Hunter traveled as a passenger in a 2014 Hino box truck driven by a coworker, Howard Dozier, on Route 8 North in Waterbury, Connecticut. Their vehicle veered onto the shoulder, struck a large rock, and rolled onto its side, coming to rest across the northbound lanes. Shortly after the initial crash, Larry Lee Shunk approached the scene while driving a 2016 Freightliner tractor-trailer. Shunk later claimed he could not see the overturned box truck blocking the road until it was too late. The heavy Freightliner slammed into the stationary Hino while Mr. Hunter remained trapped inside the cab. ### **Cause** The Plaintiffs alleged that the 2016 Freightliner was defective and unreasonably dangerous because it lacked critical safety technology. They specifically argued that the truck’s headlight system provided insufficient illumination and that the vehicle lacked an automatic high-beam system or collision-avoidance technology. The complaint stated that Shunk received no warning from the truck’s systems before the impact. ### **Injury** The second collision inflicted catastrophic and permanent injuries on Schley Hunter. He suffered traumatic burst fractures of his C1 and C5 vertebrae, which required emergency surgery. These injuries resulted in a spinal cord contusion, paralysis, and quadriplegia. Additionally, he sustained traumatic brain damage, a myocardial contusion, a collapsed lung, and injuries to his chest, spine, and spleen. ### **Damages Sought** The Hunters sought compensation for extensive past and future medical expenses, including around-the-clock attendant care, specialized housing, and rehabilitation. Schley Hunter claimed total destruction of his earning capacity and severe physical and emotional pain. Monica Hunter also filed a claim for loss of consortium, citing the loss of her husband's companionship and support. ## **Key Arguments and Proceedings** ### **Legal Representation** **Plaintiff(s):** Schley M. Hunter | Monica R. Hunter - **Counsel for Plaintiff(s):** Joram Hirsch, Esq. | Larry E. Coben, Esq. | Jo Ann Niemi, Esq. - **Experts for Plaintiff(s):** [Timothy J. Reust](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Timothy-Reust/1515930) | [Peter Leiss](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Peter-Leiss/1529567) | [Shawn Harrington](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Shawn-Harrington/1520820) | [David E. Peck](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/David-Peck/1542948) | [William J. Vigilante](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/William-Vigilante/1516208) | [John E. Dolce](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/John-Dolce/1571736) | [Ron Fijalkowski](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Ronald-Fijalkowski/1515148) | [Alex Karras](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Alex-Karras/1510055) | [Guy William Fried](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Guy-Fried/1518426) | [Andrew C. Verzilli](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Andrew-Verzilli/1510148) **Defendant(s):** Daimler Trucks North America, LLC (DTNA) | Daimler Trucks North America Corporation | Freightliner LLC | GLS Leasco, Inc. - **Counsel for Defendant(s):** James J. Healy | Anthony Joseph Sbarra Jr | Brian Matthew Gibbons - **Experts for Defendant(s):**[Robert J. Butler](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Robert-Butler/1571737) | [Michelle Kuykendal](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Michelle-Kuykendal/1564385) | [Eldon Leaphart](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Eldon-Leaphart/1544637) | [David Cades](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/David-Cades/1529740) | [Joseph Cormier](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Joseph-Cormier/1519974) ## **Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel** ### **Claims** The Plaintiffs’ legal team argued that Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) prioritized profits over safety by failing to make modern collision-avoidance systems standard equipment on its 2016 models. They contended that the truck was defective because it did not include "haptic" or "auditory" alerts that would have warned the driver of the obstacle ahead. Counsel further argued that DTNA failed to warn buyers about the limitations of the truck's headlight system. ### **Defense** DTNA denied that the 2016 Freightliner was defective. While the company admitted to designing and selling the vehicle, it argued that the truck met all applicable safety standards at the time of manufacture. The defense maintained that the collision resulted from the circumstances of the road and the actions of the drivers involved rather than a failure of the vehicle's design. ### **Jury Verdict** The trial concluded in the Superior Court for the Judicial District of Waterbury. After deliberating on the evidence regarding product liability and negligence, the jury reached its decision on December 17, 2025. The jury found in favor of the Defendant, Daimler Truck North America, LLC, and against the Plaintiffs, Schley M. Hunter and Monica R. Hunter. The verdict form, signed by Jury Foreperson Theodore Peister, indicated that the jury did not find the truck manufacturer liable for the injuries sustained in the crash. ### **Court Documents** [Complaint](https://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/DocumentInquiry/DocumentInquiry.aspx?DocumentNo=14386974) [Jury Verdict](https://civilinquiry.jud.ct.gov/DocumentInquiry/DocumentInquiry.aspx?DocumentNo=31605522) [Share with Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-) [Share with X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-&text=x) [Share with LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-) [Share with Email](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-/mailto:?body=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-&subject=email) [Share with WhatsApp](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-%20whatsapp) ### **Find your next Expert Witness today** ![Sanjay Adhia](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-/_ipx/q_80/user-default.svg) ###### **Sanjay Adhia** Forensic Psychiastry ![George Reis](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-/_ipx/q_80/user-default.svg) ###### **George Reis** Forensic Imaging ![Maria Babinetz](https://exlitem.com/jury-verdict/jury-rejects-product-defect-claim-in-highway-crash-case-/_ipx/q_80/user-default.svg) ###### **Maria Babinetz** Vocational Rehabilitation Find and retain experts without brokerage or upcharge. ### Looking for more? 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