Family Awarded $5M in SMART Bus Accident Lawsuit

In November of 2014, Sally LaMay was killed in a bus accident when she was crossing the street on foot. A SMART bus hit the 37-year-old as she crossed the street in a marked crosswalk. The bus had a flashing yellow light at the time of the accident. The driver of the bus was fired by Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) after the incident.

Last week, an Oakland County jury ordered the company to pay $5 million to LaMay’s family for the pain they endured due to the untimely loss of their wife and mother. In court, the company argued that they should not have to pay anything to the family of the deceased because LaMay was killed instantly and did not suffer – a sentiment many in the courtroom found absurd. The jury ultimately issued the verdict to compensate for “conscious pain and suffering.”

LaMay left behind a husband and two daughters, now ages 15 and 11.