TRUCK ACCIDENT: Big Rig Driver files Civil Suit against LA City

March 23, 2011

Los Angeles - A truck driver, who has been in prison for two years after a fatal accident, has filed a civil lawsuit against the city for an alleged hazardous Angeles Crest Highway on March 17 in LA County Superior Court.

According to Los Angeles reports, Marcos Costa has filed his complaint on the government's failure to correct the dangerous design of the Angeles Crest Highway. He has asserted that such design error caused the April 2009 truck crash that led to two fatal injuries. He has sought $500,000 as damages for property damage, emotional distress, and loss of liberty due to criminal proceedings.

The La Cañada Flintridge and California Department of Transportation were also named defendants in Costa's civil suit. Officers from the two responded that Costa's allegations were without merit as the accident occurred on Costa's own negligent act, reports said.

According to LA city records, Costa has been facing murder charges when his truck hit two Palmdale residents on April 2009. Costa posted a $340,000 bond this March and has been in custody for two years for the Wrongful death lawsuit filed against him.

Attorney Edward Murphy, his defense attorney, commented that he has no knowledge of Costa's recent legal action. Murphy explained that Costa is acting as his own attorney for the civil lawsuit against the government.