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Janthan Quiroz, age 13, was struck by a driver on State Route 63 in Tulare. The impact speed was 40–45 mph. Janthan was a pedestrian, walking in a marked crosswalk within the intersection.
The court and jury heard evidence that this intersection was a notoriously dangerous crosswalk, resulting in the largest verdict in Tulare County history.
The crosswalk was designed in 2002 by the City of Tulare, just north of the Santa Fe Trail. The intersection has long been considered extremely dangerous — a five-lane, 60-mph highway, heavy traffic, no traffic control, and cars turning from three different directions. Residents complained and were fearful of using the crosswalk. In 2022, Caltrans paved over much of the crosswalk striping, making the intersection even more dangerous.
Janthan was on his way home from football practice. His view of oncoming traffic in the opposite lanes was blocked by a left-turning vehicle. At the same time, the oncoming driver’s view of Janthan was blocked by that same vehicle, according to expert testimony.
Caltrans knew the crosswalk was dangerous when it was first evaluated and had recommended the City consider an overpass instead. Twenty years later, nothing had been done to address the danger. Janthan suffered severe and permanent brain damage.
The jury found Caltrans 90% negligent and Janthan 10% comparatively negligent. The trial lasted three weeks. The jury deliberated for four hours.
Janthan Quiroz v. State of California, Caltrans et al.,
Tulare County Superior Court — May 28, 2025
PRO TIP:
- A long, well-documented history of negligence always makes a defendant look very bad.
- Major, life-changing injuries usually win major jury sympathy.
- This case took years and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to litigate, including multiple experts.
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