Case Background
The legal proceedings arose from a fatal high-speed collision that occurred on the morning of December 14, 2019, involving an off-duty police officer and an 18-year-old high school student. Bryan and Dana Gaines, the parents of Emily Gaines, filed a federal civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Moore and Sergeant Kyle Lloyd. The Plaintiffs alleged that the City maintained a culture that tolerated reckless driving and failed to discipline officers for traffic violations. The case centered on whether the officer was acting within the scope of his employment while performing a task for a colleague and whether his conduct rose to the level of a constitutional violation. After years of litigation, the case proceeded to a jury trial in Oklahoma City to determine liability and damages for the loss of a young life.
Cause
The incident began when Officer Kyle Wagner, who participated in the Moore Police Department’s "Shop with a Cop" event, locked his keys inside his patrol vehicle. Wagner called Sgt. Kyle Lloyd, who was off-duty at the time, and asked him to bring a spare set of keys to the scene quickly. Lloyd left his home in his personal Dodge Charger and accelerated to speeds between 94 and 96 mph in a 50-mph zone. As he approached the intersection of South Sooner Road and SE 134th Street, Emily Gaines attempted a left turn on a green light while heading to take her ACT exam. Lloyd’s vehicle struck Emily’s car with such force that it caused her vehicle to roll. Investigators later confirmed that Emily committed no driving errors and would have safely cleared the intersection had Lloyd traveled at the legal speed limit.
Injury
The high-speed impact caused catastrophic and fatal injuries to Emily Gaines. She suffered a traumatic acute closed head injury, a displaced basilar skull fracture, and a critical cervical subluxation. Despite the arrival of emergency responders, the severity of the physical trauma resulted in her death at the scene of the accident.
Damages Sought
The Gaines family sought compensation for the immense grief and the loss of companionship resulting from their daughter’s death. Their legal team argued for significant compensatory damages to address the emotional toll on the family and the loss of Emily’s future. Furthermore, the Plaintiffs sought punitive damages and a judgment for civil rights violations under the Fourteenth Amendment, asserting that the officer’s conduct demonstrated a reckless disregard for human life and constitutional protections.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Bryan Gaines (individually and for the Estate of Emily Gaines) and Dana Gaines.
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Chris J. Hammons | Jonathan R. Ortwein | Jason Michael Hicks
· Expert for Plaintiff(s): Mark Sexton | Michael D. Lyman
Defendant(s): Moore City of A municipal corporation | Todd Strickland | Jerry Stillings | Todd Gibson | Kyle Lloyd
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Nevin R. Kirkland | Michael Woodson | Chelsi Chaffin Bonano | Travis E Harrison | R. Blaine Nice | Greg A Castro | Dane H Miller | Tippens-OKC | C Eric Shephard
· Expert for Defendant(s): Tim Tipton | Mark A. Sole
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Claims
The Plaintiffs argued that the City of Moore bore responsibility for the crash because Lloyd performed a work-related task—delivering keys for a department event—at the time of the collision. They presented evidence that the department’s "first-pass" policy on accidents created an environment where officers felt they could speed without consequence. Counsel highlighted Lloyd’s history of speeding, including a prior incident of driving 127 mph, and revealed that Lloyd had his own disciplinary file shredded just two days after the fatal crash. They asserted that these factors proved a systemic failure in supervision and training.
Defense
The defense contended that Lloyd’s actions were those of a private citizen rather than a police officer because he was off-duty, in his personal car, and not using emergency equipment. They argued that his decision to speed was an individual lapse in judgment that did not reflect city policy. The defense also utilized a "sudden emergency" argument, suggesting the accident was an unavoidable misfortune. They maintained that the city should not be held liable for the actions of an employee who was not officially "on the clock" during the event.
Jury Verdict
The federal jury returned a historic $126 million judgment against the Defendants on 1st April 2026.
Liability and Scope of Employment
The jury found in favor of the Gaines family on all counts of negligence. They determined that Kyle Lloyd carried 100% of the fault for the collision. Crucially, the jurors ruled that Lloyd had been acting within the scope of his employment with the City of Moore at the time of the crash, thereby making the municipality legally liable for the damages.
Constitutional Findings and Damages
Regarding the civil rights claims, the jury found that Lloyd violated Emily Gaines’ Fourteenth Amendment rights. They concluded that Lloyd acted with "reckless and callous indifference" toward Emily’s safety and constitutional protections. The total award consisted of $36 million for the family’s grief and loss of companionship, and $90 million for the civil rights violation, marking one of the largest judgments in Oklahoma history for a case involving law enforcement conduct.
Court documents are available upon request at [email protected]
