The Los Angeles Superior Court panel also found that Geico had refused to settle the case for the policy limits before trial.
According to trial testimony in the lawsuit brought by Salvador Rodriguez Ordaz and Braulia Ordaz, Kruppe was intoxicated when she veered into oncoming traffic on Nov. 15, 2018, colliding with a car driven by 29-year-old Jessica Ordaz.
After the crash, Kruppe was hospitalized and tests indicated she had a blood alcohol concentration level of nearly three times the legal limit. Kruppe was convicted in 2020 of one count each of second-degree murder and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and was sentenced later that year to 15 years to life in prison.
“It’s frustrating that insurance companies like Geico drag these clear liability cases out for years to avoid paying what’s rightfully owed to our clients,” said lead plaintiffs’ trial attorney R. Rex Parris. “These aggressive tactics by insurance companies do nothing more than prolong the suffering of a grieving family.”
Kruppe, now 40, “clearly knew her actions would put everyone on the road in danger, yet she still decided to get behind the wheel after a night of heavy drinking,” said another plaintiffs’ lawyer, Alexander R. Wheeler. “Our clients’ daughter had such a bright future ahead of her, but it was shattered because of Ms. Kruppe’s reckless behavior.”
In a letter of remorse to the plaintiffs, Kruppe said that “words cannot begin to express the depth of my sorrow for the fact that I killed your daughter. I am so sorry that I have created this pain for you.”
Kruppe admitted she was drunk when the collision occurred and that she was at fault, but she also maintained her insurance company settled the issues with the plaintiffs before they sued her, according to the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ court papers.
Previous related stories:
State Supreme Court won’t hear case of ex-principal involved in fatal crash
Former school principal’s murder conviction upheld for DUI crash
Former principal gets 15 to life for deadly DUI crash
Former school principal convicted of murder for DUI crash
Lancaster principal pleads not guilty in deadly alleged DUI crash
Local elementary school principal charged with murder in fatal DUI crash
Lancaster woman killed in head-on crash with suspected DUI driver
–
ACE CARTER says
WHO WILL PAY ?
WHAT WERE HER POLICY LIMITS ?
WAS THE SCHOOL LIABLE ?
***
Lisa says
Don’t worry you didn’t pay for it .
Tim Scott says
Odds are, no one. Her insurance will pay whatever their coverage states in her policy; probably $15K. The rest is her debt, but since she has no income for the next 15 years or so that debt makes no real difference.
Anonymous says
School is not found liable. GEICO will have to pay the amount.
Frank Eugene says
2nd DUI ?
If I remember correctly,,newspapers said she had a prior DUI conviction…Two DUI’s will give yourself jail or prison time…Believe newspaper also said another school principal from a different school ,,,put her into her car drunk the day of this needless accident…very sad,,, real life story…
Anonymous says
There were no prior DUI’s at all.
Frank Eugene says
2nd DUI ?
As I remember the newspapers said this was her 2nd DUI ,, and day of accident,,, another school Principal,,, from a different school,,, put her in her car drunk…We all live in a very Sad World ….
Frank Eugene
Tom says
I am sorry but 20 million dollars. I can see if she was a doctor saving millions of lives, but a regular Antelope Valley resident is not worth 20 million, and now we know why everyone’s car insurance keeps increasing every 6 months. The loss of a life is sad, but we still have to be realistic when it comes to lawsuit award amounts.
Manny says
I agree….the only color anyone really cares about…..is GREEN!
Tim Scott says
Contrary to popular belief, and certainly contrary to what insurance companies want people to believe when they are using “big jury awards” as an excuse to raise their rates, insurance companies are only on the hook for the maximum coverage under the policy, not for the amount of the reward. There’s no way to know how much insurance this drunk was paying for, but the minimum required by the state is $15,000 liability for individual death or injury and with previous DUI her rates would be so high that she likely wasn’t paying for more than the minimum.
Jon says
Actually Tom, a human LIFE is PRICELESS. Money comes and goes, but their Daughter is LOST FOREVER. Your comment seriously makes me feel sad for you that you put a dollar amount on human life. Tom your parents didn’t teach you a thing about respect. Hopefully this will open your eyes to understand, how little you know about what it takes to be a decent person.
Jayson says
And why Geico and other insurance companies bailing out of California
Oncoming Traffic says
“…sentenced later that year to 15 years to life in prison.”
At least Mary won’t be able to slaughter anyone else for the next fifteen years.
Lisa says
Right f ***mary