Picard v. Thomas

These actions arise out an automobile accident that occurred on March 23, 1997, when two cars full of teenage friends were traveling together on Route 2A in Acton to a common destination. The defendant Timothy Thomas drove the lead automobile with Samantha Pearlman (Samantha) as his passenger. This car, a Toyota Avalon, was leased by David Pearlman, Samantha’s father, for Samantha’s use and was insured by Commerce Insurance Company (Commerce). Jeffrey Smith drove the second car, a Toyota Corolla, and carried Danielle Dowling, Jordan Cone, and Craig Hinckley as his passengers. After attempting…