SAN DIEGO — The City Attorney’s Office today defeated a lawsuit filed by a woman who was injured when a distracted, speeding, and intoxicated motorist drove his pick-up truck off the Coronado Bridge and into Chicano Park below.
Superior Court Judge Judith F. Hayes dismissed the complaint against the City of San Diego because nothing the City did caused or contributed to the incident, and the plaintiff did not allege that a physical condition of City property caused the incident or injury.
The plaintiff, Annette Trujillo, alleged that the City had liability because it permitted a car show to take place in Chicano Park knowing that visitors would be subjected to grave danger from cars flying off the bridge.
The driver in the October 15, 2016, incident, Richard Sepolio, is also a defendant in the case, as is the State of California. Sepolio, a Navy employee, also faces criminal charges. Today’s ruling effectively removed the City from this case.
Four other lawsuits have been filed against the City as a result of the incident. Only one has been served.
The case was argued for the City of San Diego by Deputy City Attorney Stacy Plotkin-Wolff.
“This is another victory for taxpayers and one more example of how our litigators’ hard work protects San Diegans from meritless complaints,” City Attorney Mara W. Elliott said. “Our office is committed to taking these cases to trial and fighting on behalf of the taxpayers.”
