Swanson v. Robles

SILBERMAN, Judge.

As the result of a vehicular collision, Linda J. Robles, as personal representative of the estate of Miguel A. Mercado, deceased, brought this wrongful death action against Aaron Swanson. Swanson appeals from the final judgment totaling over $6,000,000. We conclude that the trial court committed reversible error in allowing irrelevant and highly prejudicial evidence of Swanson’s drug use in the first phase of trial when he had admitted liability for both compensatory and punitive damages. Therefore, we reverse and remand for a new trial. The other two issues Swanson raises…