J.B. Hunt Sued for Fatal 18-Wheeler Crash on SH 158 Near Sterling City

SAN ANGELO, TX — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas following a fatal crash involving an 18-wheeler operated by J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. and Far Far Cargo, Inc. The plaintiffs, Odessa residents Kalecia Rockne and Enola Rockne, survivors of the crash, are seeking damages for the deaths of Charlotte Daly and Kalecia’s unborn child, Baby Rockne.

The complaint, filed on Sept. 9, 2024, outlines the plaintiffs' claims against J.B. Hunt, its subcontractor Far Far Cargo, and driver Zarif Umarov.

According to the lawsuit, on Sept. 27, 2023, Umarov, while fatigued and distracted, lost control of the 18-wheeler while transporting freight to an Odessa Family Dollar store. The truck jackknifed and crashed into the plaintiffs’ vehicle on State Highway 158 in Sterling County. The plaintiffs' Dodge Journey was “launched into a ravine, through a fence, and eventually came to rest in an open field,” the lawsuit states.

Charlotte Daly, 63, of Odessa, was killed in the crash. Kalecia Rockne, 35, also of Odessa, lost her unborn child due to injuries sustained in the accident. The crash also resulted in serious injuries to Enola Rockne and a minor child identified in court documents as "E.R."

Key Allegations Against Defendants:

• Negligence of the Driver: The complaint alleges Umarov failed to maintain control of the truck, leading to the crash. It claims he was fatigued, exceeded federal hours-of-service limits, and did not operate the vehicle properly.
• Failure to Ensure Safety: The lawsuit claims J.B. Hunt hired an inexperienced and unqualified driver through Far Far Cargo, a small trucking operation owned by Umarov. Far Far Cargo was allegedly a shell company with minimal oversight, and Umarov had not received proper training on safety protocols. The complaint states that Umarov was the company’s only employee.
• Corporate Responsibility: The plaintiffs argue that despite its reputation for safety, J.B. Hunt prioritized delivery deadlines over public safety. The lawsuit accuses the company of recklessly contracting Far Far Cargo, which allegedly had no verifiable safety record.

The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and wrongful death damages. They are also asking for exemplary damages, alleging gross negligence on the part of the defendants.

The lawsuit emphasizes the emotional and financial toll on the surviving family members. Kalecia Rockne, who lost her unborn child and mother in the crash, is seeking compensation for emotional trauma, loss of companionship, and future financial losses. Kevin Daly, the son of Charlotte Daly, and Enola Rockne are also seeking damages for their physical injuries and emotional suffering.

The complaint also references a broader pattern of safety violations within J.B. Hunt’s operations, citing past accidents involving company drivers who exceeded federal driving limits or were improperly trained. The plaintiffs claim J.B. Hunt was repeatedly warned by federal regulators but failed to take sufficient corrective action.

The plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial, seeking justice for their losses and holding the defendants accountable for what they describe as reckless and avoidable actions. The shipping client, Family Dollar, was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

This photograph is from a Sept. 28, 2021 article in the Sam M. Walton College of Business journal that features J.B. Hunt. Researcher Joseph Sinay was quoted on the "Be Epic Podcast," saying that deregulation allowed companies like J.B. Hunt to compete by innovating with a standardized fleet and driver employment system.