Case Background
This legal dispute began following a motor vehicle collision that occurred on March 3, 2022, in Wake County, North Carolina. The incident took place at approximately 7:43 a.m. on SR 2509. Kathy Lewis Jones drove a 2021 Hyundai southbound, while Alex Rose operated a 2017 Hyundai northbound on the same roadway. Right Electrical Services LLC owned the vehicle Alex Rose operated.
Cause
The collision occurred when Alex Rose attempted to turn left in front of the vehicle Kathy Lewis Jones operated. The impact between these two vehicles then caused the Jones vehicle to collide with a third vehicle, a 2015 Nissan operated by Taylor Leach Ingersoll. Jones alleged that Rose failed to yield the right of way and did not keep a proper lookout.
Injury
Kathy Lewis Jones sustained serious and painful bodily injuries because of the crash. She claimed these injuries resulted in significant physical pain as well as mental anguish and anxiety. The legal complaint also indicated that these injuries might be permanent in nature.
Damages Sought
The Plaintiff initially sought to recover a sum exceeding $25,000. These requested damages covered medical expenses for diagnosis and treatment, lost wages due to a decreased ability to work, and compensation for permanent physical injury and personal property damage. Jones also requested that the Court tax the costs of the action, including attorney's fees, against the Defendants.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The litigation moved through the Wake County Superior Court under file number 24CV038677-910. Throughout the proceedings, the parties debated the specific mechanics of the accident and the legal responsibility of the corporate owner.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Kathy Lewis Jones
Counsel for Plaintiff: Kristin G. Oakley of Ricci Law Firm, PA
Defendant(s): Alex Rose and Right Electrical Services LLC
Counsel for Defendant(s): Jodee Sparkman Larcade of Sparkman Larcade PLLC
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
The Plaintiff pursued two primary causes of action. In the first claim for negligence, Jones argued that Alex Rose breached the duty of reasonable care by violating several North Carolina traffic laws. Specifically, she alleged that Rose traveled at an excessive speed, failed to reduce speed when approaching an intersection, and failed to apply brakes to avoid the collision. Furthermore, Jones asserted that Alex Rose acted as an agent or employee of Right Electrical Services LLC at the time of the crash, which made the company legally responsible for the driver's actions.
The second cause of action involved a claim of negligent entrustment against Right Electrical Services LLC. Jones contended that the company knew, or should have known, that Alex Rose was an unfit driver who lacked the necessary skills and experience to operate the vehicle safely. Despite this supposed knowledge, the company permitted Rose to use the vehicle for its business operations.
Defense
Alex Rose and Right Electrical Services LLC filed a formal response admitting that the collision had occurred and that Alex Rose was driving the vehicle with the owner's permission. However, they denied all allegations of negligence and liability. In their second defense, they argued that even if the jury found them negligent, that negligence did not serve as the proximate cause of the Plaintiff’s alleged injuries.
The Defendants also raised the defense of contributory negligence. They argued that Kathy Lewis Jones failed to exercise reasonable care for her own safety and that her own negligence contributed to the accident. Under this theory, they claimed that her actions should bar her from recovering any damages.
Jury Verdict
The trial took place during the February 23, 2026, civil session of the Wake County Superior Court, presided over by Judge Alyson Adams Grine. After hearing the evidence, the twelve-person jury reached a unanimous decision on February 27, 2026.
Regarding the first issue, the jury found that Alex Rose’s negligence had indeed injured Kathy Lewis Jones. On the second issue, the jury rejected the defense's argument regarding contributory negligence, finding that the Plaintiff did not contribute to her own injury through her own negligence. Because the jury found the Plaintiff was not negligent, they did not need to reach a conclusion on the third issue regarding "last clear chance".
For the final issue, the jury determined the appropriate compensation for the Plaintiff's injuries. They awarded Kathy Lewis Jones a total sum of $75,000. Jury Foreperson Thomas A. Geeir signed the verdict sheet to formalize these findings.
On March 2, 2026, Judge Grine entered a final judgment based on this verdict. The Court ordered Alex Rose and Right Electrical Services LLC to pay the $75,000 sum to Jones. The judgment also specified that this amount would include interest as allowed by law, calculated from the original filing date of the complaint on December 3, 2024.
Court documents are available upon request at [email protected]
