A lawsuit against Lyft, Inc., and the driver over a pedestrian crash that resulted in severe injuries to a 15-year-old boy in Wilkes-Barre has been resolved for over $26 million.
Yazmin M. Rohena, as the guardian of her brother, Jonatan Rosario Rohena, filed the lawsuit through Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn, P.C. of Kingston, against Timothy W. Nevel and Lyft, Inc., in Lackawanna County Court after the crash at South Wilkes-Barre Boulevard and East Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre, on March 1, 2019.
As stated in a petition to settle the lawsuit, Nevel, a Lyft, Inc., driver, was delayed in picking up a fare and then accelerated while driving south on South Wilkes-Barre Boulevard, running a red light at the intersection.
At the same time, Jonatan Rohena was walking across South Wilkes-Barre Boulevard in the designated pedestrian crosswalk when he was hit by Nevel’s 2013 Ford Escape.
The impact caused Jonatan Rohena to hit his head on the windshield, be thrown 15 feet in the air, and land 35 feet from Nevel’s vehicle, according to the petition.
As a result of the collision, Jonatan suffered life-altering injuries and now requires 24-hour care and supervision.
Nevel, of Birchwood Estates, Exeter, passed away on Dec. 14, 2023.
The lawsuit alleges that Lyft, Inc., continued to employ Nevel as a driver despite receiving numerous complaints.
Yazmin Rohena’s attorneys—Joseph A. Quinn Jr., Michael A. Lombardo III, Nicole M. Santo, Kathleen Quinn DePillis, Brian Q. McDonnell, and Christopher C. Quinn—filed the petition to settle the lawsuit against Lyft, Inc.
The structured settlement aims for $20,150 per month for Jonatan Rosario Rohena's lifetime, guaranteed for 40 years, with the potential to reach $47.7 million. Attorney and legal fees are estimated to be $10 million.
