Paralyzed Man Talks About Million Dollar Settlement With City Following Pothole Crash

A man who was left paralyzed following a crash as he tried to avoid a pothole on a Columbus road will get a million dollar settlement with the city.

The city settled the lawsuit filed for Justin Crabtree for $1.25 million.

It alleged negligence by the city for not repairing potholes along Williams Road in southeast Columbus.

An attorney alleged potholes contributed to the 2006 crash that left Crabtree, 25, a quadriplegic.

“I really haven’t been able to do things I use to do. I’ve always been a pretty active person,” said Crabtree.

On January 4, 2006, Crabtee and a friend were riding their bikes when he was hit by a car.

Police found Crabtree, not the driver, at fault because he was riding in the path of the car.

But Crabtree's attorney argued that potholes on the narrow road forced his client to ride his bike away from the side of the road and into the path of the car.

The accident left Crabtree paralyzed from the neck down.The attorney sued the city for negligence, arguing it failed to maintain the road.

A settlement was reached after a seven year court battle.

“Happy to get things rolling and get it over with,” said Crabtree.

He will use the settlement to buy an updated van, an outdoor wheel chair, and to pay for the dozens of pills he takes every day.

According to the attorney, by the city settling the case, it sends a message to other cities across Ohio that if you don't maintain your roads other cities could face similar legal action.

“Cities need to be even more vigilant in the past in repairing potholes,” said lawyer John Alton.

“It’s the city property, man, they should stay up on it,” added Crabtree.

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