Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against J.B. Hunt

The estate of a Gravette woman who was struck and killed by a truck driver working for J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Lowell-based trucking company.

Crystal Johnson, 34, and Joe W. Maldonado, 39, of Springdale were killed as the result of a wreck that occurred July 16 near Gravette in western Benton County.

According to the lawsuit, which was filed Monday in Benton County Circuit Court, Maldonado was driving a J.B. Hunt tractor-trailer east on Highway 72 when he struck Johnson’s 2002 Honda Accord, also traveling east, from behind. The car spun off the highway and rolled, and Johnson was ejected from the vehicle.

Maldonado’s semitrailer went off the highway, jackknifed and struck trees.

The lawsuit alleges that Maldonado was known to be a dangerous driver by his peers, dispatchers and instructors, and J.B. Hunt chose not to properly train or supervise him.

“Unfortunately, J.B. Hunt chose profits over safety, ignoring its own employees’ warnings about the unsafe driving habits of Mr. Maldonado in order to keep its massive operation making money,” the lawsuit states. “As a result, Mr. Maldonado lost his life. Crystal Johnson lost her life. And, Crystal Johnson’s three children, Koda (age 11), Triton (age 9) and Keilei (age 8) lost their mother.”

Rogers attorney Sach Oliver is representing Johnson’s estate. Fayetteville attorney Christy Comstock has been retained by J.B. Hunt.

“This wreck is a tragedy, and it was completely preventable,” Oliver said. “We hope that through this process we can help prevent this from happening to someone else’s friend or family member.”

Comstock declined to comment.

Johnson’s estate is seeking unspecified punitive damages, and also is requesting a jury trial.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge John Scott.