Toby Keith, Kin Win $2.8M In Dad's Death

Suit Said Bus That Hit Father's Truck Had Bad Brakes

(AP)  Toby Keith, his mother and his siblings have been awarded $2.8 million in damages in the 2001 collision that killed the country music star's father.

A jury returned the verdict against Elias Rodriguez and Pedro Rodriguez, operators of Rodriguez Transportes of Tulsa, and the Republic Western Insurance Co.

According to evidence presented at trial, a charter bus owned by the Rodriguezes was "in urgent need" of brake repairs before H.K. Covel was killed in the March 2001 accident on Interstate 35, said attorney Greg Dixon, who represented Keith's family. The Rodriguezes had been advised of the brake problem before Covel's truck crossed the center median and struck the bus, he said.

The family initially suspected Covel suffered a medical condition that caused the truck to veer out of control. It later learned another vehicle had bumped the truck and filed a wrongful death lawsuit to clear Covel's name, Dixon said.

The verdict was returned last week. "The jury found no fault on the part of Mr. Covel in the wreck that claimed his life," Dixon said.

The plaintiffs, wife Carolyn Covel, daughter Tonni Covel and sons Toby Keith Covel and Tracey Covel, alleged that H.K. Covel would not have died if the bus had been equipped with properly working air brakes.

[stokely418]

I AGREE WITH "OLD THOUGHT" TOTALLY!!!!!!!!!!

[ronnielong1]

the people who are complaining about this would probably selltheir own mother for a little bit of money. don''t tell me you would''nt do the same thing if it was your family. unless, of course, you are one of those types who would rather complain about something than ever do something for someone else. just selfish.

[nhimai1997]

they should be sued. people are too stupid when they drive. this stupid women back in to me and she did not even get a friggin ticket. they are usually those welfare people

[usbrit-2009]

Hadn''t heard about the accident - but yes, right wingnuts are first on the "Sue Me Sue You Blues" bandwagon when given a chance. Bout time that this talent-free rabble-rousing clown got hia a$$ in trouble with his "fans."

One off the subject question for Messrs Keith, Sprigsteen and Brooks, if you''re all so pro-American, how come y''all play Japanese (Takemine)guitars?

[likeitis5050]

I''m torn. While I hate that Keith has benefited in spite of his own belief that America is lawsuit happy, (the anti-American part, that is...not the patriotic part...until now, of course...but then he''ll argue they didn''t sue an American, so it''s okay?)I also enjoy watching Hispanics, who spit at America''s regulations and laws, have to pay out the azz. Oh...but wait...they haven''t paid yet. Bets on how fast they hightail it back to Mexico, anyone? As for Keith...how''s it feel to be part of the America you made money blasting in your songs? Can you say HYPOCRIT?

[tomanyt]

TobyDawgLuv...What a load of ***!! That bus company no more deserved to be sued in this case then the man in the moon.

[tomanyt]

Why did they sue the bus company? Why did they not go after the person(s) who hit the fathers truck?

[tobydawgluv]

I would have done the same for my dad name in a heartbeat. It''s not the money Toby is a multi-millionaire for heaven sake its about supporting and clearing his dads name and attempting to get the bus company to take responsibility for bad equipment. Who knows if it would have helped HK avoid the bus if the brakes were working on it but the bus driver would have had a chance to use the brakes if they worked and avoid a crash perhaps..and safety of others as well. The nay sayers also assume they will get money..how many settlements dont go thru? It''s the principle. The company gives their word the equipment is safe and when it is over looked and is not safe they need to be held accountable. Case Closed.

[incog-nito]

What? Another frivolous lawsuit by these godless dems and their trial lawyers? This is the reason why our insurance rates are so high. Maybe the bus had bad brakes, but the guy crossed the median for Christ''s sakes! He may or may not have survived anyway. Greedy bast*rds! Oh wait! These are not dems, but God-fearing right-wingers. My bad. Never mind.

[incog-nito]

I thought right-wingers don''t do lawsuits.

[Netterz]

Had the truth not come out via a trial and jury, the idiots who owned the tour bus, carting hundreds of people daily unsafely, many more could have died, and been far worse. Seems something as cheap as brakes to insure your companies reputation and the safety would be minor, compared to what it is costing them NOW. So I dont think it is pointless at all. I doubt very seriously that the Covel family did this for the $, its about the principle of the entire matter, and the loss of HK.

[Netterz]

It states that some one hit HK Covels rear bumper, which is the same tactic police use to "pit" a vehicle, which sends it out of control, and usually into a ditch. Read the full article 1st. It doesnt matter WHO was killed, and had it been your dad or family member killed, if the bus had little or no brakes, you would sue too..geesh. Just because he is already rich and famous, doesnt mean his father and family didnt deserve justice.

[noozgroop]

This lawsuit is utterly ridiculous. The brakes on the bus had no bearing on the old man''s survival. He ran into the bus and would likely not have survived the impact at any highway speed.

[nothappyatall]

"alleged that H.K. Covel would not have died if the bus had been equipped with properly working air brakes."

WHATT?
It says Covel''s truck hit the BUS;

"The Rodriguezes had been advised of the brake problem before Covel''s truck crossed the center median and struck the bus, he said. "

So how the hel1 would the bus'' brakes make one iota of a difference when it was COVEL''S truck that hit IT???