Biker accident victims win $375K settlement

On Tuesday, July 19, city councilmembers will approve a $375,000 settlement for a couple who were injured in a 2013 motorcycle accident that occurred at an intersection outside of a Walmart in Clairemont Mesa.

Garrett and Pamela Slavin were riding their Harley-Davidson south on Shawline Street when a motorist exited the Walmart parking lot in front of the couple. Garrett Slavin suffered serious injuries to his arms, while Pamela Slavin injured her neck in the crash.

In August 2014, the Slavins sued the city for creating a "trap" in the public right-of-way and for failing to design and mark a two-way roadway.

"[The City]...and its employees, agents, contractors and representatives were negligent in the course and scope of their employment, in failing to appropriately designate, place, situate, sign, stripe, mark, paint, delineate, illuminate, design, construct, maintain or otherwise provide, identify and/or control with appropriate traffic control devices, an appropriate roadway facility...which would have minimized or eliminated conflicts and/or potential accidents..."

In May 2016, after nearly two years of litigation, the city council agreed to settle the case during a closed-session meeting.

The $375,000 settlement resolves all claims against the city and its employees. It will cover all damages, medical expenses — both past and pending — and attorney fees.

According to the agenda, the money will be taken from the city's Public Liability Fund. The city council will hear the item during their 2 p.m. city-council session on July 19.