The family of a BMW salesman who was killed during a test drive was awarded $13.7 million by a Cook County, Illinois jury this week. The 2004 auto accident occurred as the result of the driver flooring the pedal of the BMW 530i to 95 mph, and losing control. The car, which was traveling twice as fast as the posted speed limit allowed, hit a vehicle turning into a church parking lot and then hit a light pole. The BMW burst into flames. The driver and his two friends who were sitting in the back survived. The 22-year-old salesman sitting in the front seat did not.

The wrongful death suit’s verdict came after a weeklong trial. The driver’s attorney said that the salesman contributed to his own death by violating company policy and letting the driver outside of an established test-drive route, as well as encouraging the driver to speed. There is no word on an appeal. The driver was also cited for driving 40 mph over the speed limit. Though the defense team sees it this way, an attorney representing the salesman’s family who lost their only son, says this “went way past negligence.”

If you have lost a loved one due to the recklessness or negligence of another, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.