The crash occurred on June 8, 2012 in a stretch of Interstate 295 in West Deptford.
CAMDEN -- A Camden County Superior Court jury awarded a Pennsauken Township man $2.25 million earlier this month after his car was struck by a tractor trailer on Interstate 295 in 2012.
Southbound traffic seen here on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 on the right heading from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to Interstate 95. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com) Mark and Phyllis Davis were driving southbound on the interstate in their Chevrolet Lumina on June 8, 2012 when the crash occurred in the West Deptford area. A tractor trailer driven by Arsenio Gavilanez for Samuel Coraluzzo Company was attempting to reach Exit 19 when it struck the car, according to Alfred Falcione, Mark Davis' attorney.
The car was forced onto the right guardrail and then veered to the left guardrail. Mark Davis, now 55, received neck and back injuries -- requiring surgery for his neck. He eventually had to stop working. He was previously employed as a truck driver.
The lawsuit was against the Samuel Caroluzzo Company, which hired Gavilanez as a driver. The trial started on Aug. 1 in Camden County Superior Court and the jury awarded its $2.25 million verdict on Aug. 4.
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"I think the jury clearly understood the type of severe injuries that (Mark Davis) sustained in this accident," Falcione said. "I think it is a fair and just verdict for the injuries that he has and the fact that he can't work as a truck driver for the rest of his life."
A spokesman for Samuel Caroluzzo Company declined to comment on the verdict when reached by phone Friday afternoon. The company transports petroleum products and has offices in Vineland, Paulsboro and Bridgeport. According to Falcione, Gavilanez was transporting an empty taker -- having just dropped off jet fuel in Atlantic City prior to the crash.
Gavilanez was originally issued a summons for illegal lane change but was ultimately charged with unsafe driving, Falcione said.
Phyllis Davis was also in the car during the crash but has settled with the transportation company prior to a trial for an undisclosed settlement, Falcione said.
Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook.