Illinois Jury Awards $67 Million in Panera Truck Crash Case
Jury awards $67M in Illinois crash case, spotlighting corporate accountability and safety oversight in commercial vehicle operations.
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An Illinois jury has awarded $67 million in damages to the families of two deceased victims and a survivor following a 2018 multi-vehicle collision involving a Panera Bread delivery truck. The Winnebago County verdict includes $15 million to the estate of Fred Krischon, $37 million to his son Bob Krischon, and $15 million to the estate of Ruthie Fairchild.
The consolidated trial addressed two lawsuits alleging negligence and wrongful death arising from the May 2018 crash that killed Fred Krischon and Ruthie Fairchild and left Bob Krischon with catastrophic injuries.
The Crash and Allegations
According to court filings, defendant Mary Norman crossed the center line of a two-lane highway, striking a Panera-owned semi-trailer truck driven by Eluid Valencia. The impact propelled Norman’s car into the Krischons’ vehicle, which caught fire. Bob Krischon escaped but sustained multiple fractures and internal injuries. His father died in the burning vehicle. Fairchild, a passenger in Norman’s car, was hospitalized but later died from her injuries.
Attorneys for the Krischons and Fairchild alleged that Panera failed to ensure safe driver training and oversight, claiming the company allowed Valencia to continue operating commercial vehicles despite his involvement in four prior collisions over his 11-year tenure. The plaintiffs argued Panera’s corporate negligence contributed to the crash by neglecting to address documented safety risks.
The Plaintiffs’ Case
The plaintiffs’ legal teams described the fatal sequence as preventable and tied to systemic failures in safety management. Counsel argued Valencia should have recognized the “off-tracking” risk common to semi-trucks when navigating curves, asserting he failed to take adequate precautions to prevent encroachment into oncoming lanes.
“This case is tragic on so many levels,” Patrick A. Salvi II, an attorney for the Krischon family, said in a statement. “Just before this crash, the Krischon family was planning Fred's 89th birthday party — but he never made it to that birthday because of this preventable crash. This case underscores the responsibility corporations have to properly train their employees at every level.”
The estates of both victims also emphasized the physical and emotional trauma endured by Bob Krischon, who can no longer operate his construction business and continues to suffer from chronic pain and limited mobility due to his injuries.
Defense Position and Corporate Responsibility
Defendants Panera LLC, Valencia, and Norman faced allegations of negligence and wrongful death. Norman was accused of unsafe lane operation, while Valencia was alleged to have mishandled the truck and to have been inadequately trained. Defense counsel did not publicly comment following the verdict.
The plaintiffs’ arguments highlighted corporate accountability in commercial driver supervision, a recurring issue in transportation liability cases. The jury’s substantial award signals heightened scrutiny of corporate risk management in fleet operations and employee oversight.
Broader Legal Implications
The verdict illustrates the legal exposure companies face when driver safety policies and monitoring are insufficient. The case underscores the intersection of corporate negligence, vicarious liability, and duty of care in commercial transport contexts.
The outcome also reflects a judicial willingness to assign significant damages for both economic and non-economic losses, including loss of companionship and pain and suffering. While Panera and its co-defendants may seek post-trial motions or appeals, the decision adds to the growing body of precedent holding corporate employers accountable for inadequate safety enforcement.
Case Details
Case Name: Estate of Frederick R. Krischon et al. v. Panera LLC et al.; Estate of Ruthie Fairchild v. Panera LLC et al.
Court Name: Circuit Court of Winnebago County, Illinois
Case Number: 18L000198 and 18L000325
Plaintiff Attorneys: Salvi Schostok & Pritchard P.C., Reno & Zahm LLP
Defense Attorneys: Amundsen Davis LLC, Lucas, Olness & Associates
