The estate of a man who died when an impaired driver broadsided his vehicle has settled its wrongful death suit for $1.8 million, the estate’s attorney reports.
Mark Bringardner represented the estate of 49-year-old David Watson, who was driving his SUV on Shiloh Road in Anderson County on August 21, 2021, when a sedan driven by Deonte Lowery plowed into the driver’s side of his vehicle at approximately 90 mph. Bringardner said that Watson was attempting to turn left onto U.S. 29 when the crash happened, igniting both vehicles.
Bringardner said that Watson died at the scene. According to police reports, Lowery was injured and taken to a hospital. He was later charged with felony driving under the influence resulting in death, court records show.
Bringardner said that Watson, who left behind a wife and teenage daughter, was a pianist, composer, church music director, and educator whose loss is “incalculable.”
Dalton Barfield and Peggy Urbanic of Clawson and Staubes in Greenville represented insurers State Farm and USAA, respectively. Both attorneys declined to comment on the matter, which was settled on March 30.
“Thankfully, the insurance carriers and defense counsel were very cooperative through the process and the settlement amount reflects a full
tender of all liability and UIM bodily injury and property damage insurance policy limits,” Bringardner said.
SETTLEMENT REPORT — MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
Amount: $1.8 million
Injuries alleged: Wrongful death and survival
Case name: Estate of David Watson v. Deonte Lowery, et al.
Court: Anderson County Circuit Court
Case No.: 2022-CP-04-00577
Date of settlement: March 30
Insurance carrier: State Farm (liability) and USAA (Uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance)
Attorney for plaintiff: Mark Bringardner of Charleston
Attorneys for defendant: Dalton Barfield and Peggy Urbanic of Clawson and Staubes in Greenville