Parents win $10.5M verdict in monster truck death at strip club

The driver of a monster truck ran over and killed a woman in the parking lot of a Dallas strip club in March 2011. / KTVT

Last Updated 1:01 p.m. ET

DALLAS The parents of a 23-year-old woman killed when she was struck by a "monster truck" in a gentlemen's club parking lot have won a $10.5 million civil verdict against the driver and the club.

A Dallas civil jury reached a verdict Tuesday in favor of Gary McKenzie and Karen McDonald, parents of Kasey McKenzie.

Kasey McKenzie, 23, of Granbury, died in March 2011 after she was run over by a pickup truck elevated on "monster" tires. The driver of the truck, Eric Crutchfield, was drunk.

CBS Station KTVT reports that McKenzie was talking to someone in the parking lot of the Spearmint Rhino club when she was struck by the truck's giant wheels.

Melinda Gutierrez of the Dallas Police Department said when the truck started to drive off several witnesses ran the truck down and stopped the driver, who claimed he didn't see the woman because his truck is so high off the ground. He was jailed on charges of intoxication manslaughter and driving with a suspended license.

McKenzie died at the scene from her injuries.

Attorneys for McKenzie's parents say workers at the Spearmint Rhino club gave Crutchfield alcohol even though it was clear he was already intoxicated.

Crutchfield pleaded guilty to manslaughter and got three years in prison.

Attorney Michael Schmidt, who represents the family, told KTVT the jury found that Crutchfield was 30 percent to blame and the Spearmint Rhino 70 percent responsible. He expects an appeal.

An attorney for the Spearmint Rhino did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

EDITOR'S NOTE: It was previously reported that McKenzie was an employee of the club. CBS News has learned that that was not the case, and has adjusted the text to reflect that information.

[stopkillingourwilderness]

when is texas seceding again?

[VO142857]

When this guy comes out of prison, please, force him to drive subcompact cars only.

[Chengisk]

I dont think he should be permitted to drive or ride anything but a donkey (which certainly will not run over noting and might kick him on his mug).

[VO142857]

I bet conservative Texas jury took into consideration that the business was "big bad" strip club. If it were just the bar, the verdict would be much smaller.

[VO142857]

"... the jury found that Crutchfield was 30 percent to blame and the Spearmint Rhino 70 percent responsible ..." -- what a bunch of nonsense! How about 95%/5%? That would be much closer to truth.

[twmat311]

Maybe 90/5/5, if a state vehicle inspection allowed this as a road vehicle - does it violate any Texas DMV laws?

[CuriousServant]

Didn't see it coming? These things can happen quick. I was a heavy equipment operator. Two guys were talking standing behind a motor grader. The operator put it in reverse and backed over them. killing one with the mow bar. He got off the tractor and never got on one again. The guys must have heard it, but if someone is standing close to something like that, it only takes a moment, even it isn't moving quickly. My guess is this truck wasn't moving all that slowly.

[LeeLACA]

Zero culpability on the state for allowing that monstrosity on public streets? Only in Texas...

[vernique3]

they are a favorite toy of the good old boys in florida

[jtdev1]

The truck itself is illegal to drive on the road. Why not sue the license bureau for issuing plates or the police department for not stopping this guy from driving it in the first place, you know some cop has seen this truck driving around at some time.

was the girl drunk too? on drugs? where was her common sense to stay far away from any vehicle that big???

[twmat311]

I'd bet the plates were issued when the truck was new (looks to be a late-model), and the mods came later. There's enough good-ol-boy garages that will pass inspection on it (even illegal; blacked out windows too) - and I've seen small town cops drive trucks not quite as extreme, but close.

Tragic about the girl, but didn't she hear it coming? I think it's a safe bet it rattled some windows. Still doesn't excuse the driver.

[VO142857]

Why is this truck illegal to drive on the road? It's not too wide (more narrow than box trucks), not too tall (same argument), not too long (compare with same box trucks again).