LANE COUNTY, Ore. — A $65 million wrongful death lawsuit trial is now underway in Lane County, nearly three years after 25-year-old EMT Sarah Susman was killed when a log truck lost its load in 2021 on Highway 126 W.
The civil trial, which began June 10, stems from a lawsuit filed by Susman’s family, alleging negligent practices and regulatory failures by multiple logging companies involved in the crash, The Register Guard reported.
The case centers on when Susman was driving to work from her home in Springfield. A truck operated by 67-year-old Shane McVay rolled over and spilled its overloaded cargo of logs onto the highway, striking Susman’s vehicle and others. Susman was a part-time EMT for Western Lane Ambulance District, MidValley Ambulance and a volunteer for the Lowell Fire District. Susman died from her injuries.
The Oregon State Police found McVay was intoxicated, speeding, hauling an overloaded truck and driving with faulty brakes. He was convicted in 2022 of manslaughter, DUI and reckless endangerment, and is serving a 10-year sentence.
The civil lawsuit goes beyond McVay, alleging systemic negligence by the companies responsible for the haul. Logging company Starker Forests initially hired R&T Logging of Oregon, which in turn subcontracted the job to Wolf Creek Timber Services, a practice known as “double brokering.” The complaint argues that this practice resulted in minimal oversight and a failure to vet for safety and competency.
Plaintiffs allege that all three companies knowingly ignored industry safety regulations and failed to ensure their subcontractors operated with proper equipment and trained personnel. The trial is expected to last three weeks.
