Suffolk County Jury awarded 60 year old Vietnam War veteran Jimmy Dunne a $32.7 million in damages for serious brain damage he suffered when he was struck by a car driven by a drug-impaired driver. It is the said to be the largest non-medical malpractice personal injury award in county history.
Mr. Dunne, of Mount Sinai, was driving home with his wife, Carol, from a child’s first birthday party at the American Legion in Port Jefferson Station where he was commanding officer. On the way they stopped to help victims of a three-car crash on Hallock Road in Port Jefferson Station. While Mr. Dunne was giving a statement to police officers, a car driven by Lisa Lloyd, of Rocky Point, jumped a police barricade and struck Mr. Dunne, catapulting him some 30 feet into the air. Ms. Lloyd later pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and recklessly driving a car while impaired by drugs.
Mr. Murphy said the award money will be used by the family to bring Mr. Dunne home from the veteran’s home in Stony Brook, where he has lived since being released from the hospital. Mr. Dunne was in a coma for a month and required brain surgery to treat his injuries; he now requires round-the-clock nursing care due to his injuries. The award money will allow him to be closer to his two sons and two grandchildren.
