Firm found at fault in 90-year-old's death

A Los Angeles jury assessed $1.3 million in damages against a construction company for the wrongful death of a 90-year-old Simi Valley man.

A utility truck owned by B&D Enterprises Co. backed over Harry George Raya on June 15, 2005, while he was on his morning walk to McDonalds for coffee.

Raya was walking on the sidewalk along Patricia Avenue in Simi Valley.

After knocking Raya to the ground and backing over him with the rear tires, the B&D Enterprises driver then drove forward, crushing Raya. Raya later died from his injuries.

The defendants contended that they were not responsible for Raya's death because another truck was in the area at the time of the incident.

Eyewitnesses, however, linked the B&D truck to Raya's death. After two years of denying responsibility, the defendants finally admitted their liability at trial.

On Friday, July 13, the jury found B&D Enterprises 100 percent liable for Raya's death and awarded $1.3 million in damages to his family.

The case was brought on behalf of Raya's two children, Fred Raya and Antoinette Sweica.