Massachusetts – A snowmobiler who was nearly killed by crashing into a helicopter could end up receiving a big payday.
Newsweek reports that on September 23rd, a District Judge ordered the federal government to pay snowmobiler Jeff Smith $3.3 million in damages. U.S. District Judge Mark Mastroianni found that both parties were at fault for the collision but stated that the U.S. government had 60% of the blame for the incident. The judge ruled that the Army acted negligently by parking a camouflaged black hawk helicopter in a rarely used airfield situated on a snowmobile trail. The Judge ruled that the snowmobiler made some crucial errors, like speeding, drinking two beers before driving, and wearing tinted goggles. Jeff Smith originally sought $9.5 million from the lawsuit to cover medical damages and lost wages.
Back in March 2019, Jeff Smith was snowmobiling in Massachusetts. It was nightime, and Jeff had just concluded helping out fixing his mom’s computer at her place before planning to meet his brother on the trails. Smith was using a trail that he used more than 100 times. His headlights briefly caught sight of some object, but he only figured out it was a helicopter following the crash. Smith claimed that the helicopter crew didn’t do enough to warn snowmobilers of their presence, including not setting markers or illuminating it. While he knew it was an airfield, Smith claimed that he hadn’t seen an aircraft there since he was a kid. Smith suffered devastating injuries, including broken ribs and a punctured lung. He currently lives off money from disability assistance and can no longer engage in his passions, which include snowmobiling and golf.
The snowmobiler also sued the owner of Albert Farms Airfield for failing to protect snowmobilers’ safety. They settled for an unspecified amount of money.
The Judge gave the Army 60 days to pay Smith or appeal the decision.
Image/Video Credits: WWLP-22News
