$6.5 Million Settlement with Viacom, VH-1 for Wrongful Death in Crash of “Rock of Love” Truck

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Diane Larsen has approved a wrongful death settlement in which Viacom, VH-1 Music, 51 Minds Entertainment, and Dennis Hernandez agreed to pay the estate of a college student $6.5 million to resolve a lawsuit filed on behalf of the family by Chicago personal injury lawyers Daniel M. Kotin from Corboy & Demetrio and James Montgomery, Jr. from Cochran, Cherry, Givens, Smith & Montgomery. 

On September 26, 2008, the college student, who lived in Chicago, Illinois, was a passenger in a car heading northbound on Interstate 57 in West Frankfort, Illinois. She and the driver were students at Southern Illinois University and were returning to Chicago.  At the same time, Dennis Hernandez, an employee of 51 Minds Entertainment, was driving a truck transporting equipment for the VH-1 television show “Rock of Love with Brett Michals” in a southbound direction on I-57.  Hernandez fell asleep, crossed the center line and hit the car in which the student was riding. Both she and the driver of her car were killed. Hernandez survived the crash.

Attorney Dan Kotin stated:      

We settled this case within one year, and it was in everyone’s best interest to resolve it quickly. The evidence against Hernandez and his employers was very compelling. Their case would not have been aided by delay. As for the student's  family, their lives have been changed forever. Hopefully, this settlement will provide them a sense of closure.

Attorney Jim Montgomery, Jr. remarked:

The family sought justice in the only way our civil system permits. While no settlement can replace their loss of their 19 year-old, the family accepts it as a legacy in the memory of their loving daughter and sister.