HAYS COUNTY, TEXAS — A Hays County jury has awarded $46 million to the parents of Andrew West, an oilfield worker who was run over and killed at a DeWitt County well site in 2019, finding a truck driver and his employer negligent in the fatal incident.

According to case details reported in court coverage, jurors found truck driver Gerald Walker and John Dotson Trucking responsible for West’s death, assigning 90% of the blame to Walker and 10% to the trucking company. Jurors also concluded both were operating for the benefit of — and under the control of — Colorado Materials Ltd. in connection with the work being performed at the site.

The verdict followed about four hours of deliberations after a weeklong trial in the 428th Judicial District Court. The civil lawsuit is styled Jimmy West and Judy Jaso, individually and on behalf of the estate of Andrew West, v. Colorado Materials Ltd., Cause No. 22-0306.

What investigators and testimony presented at trial

Trial testimony indicated the crash happened on Sept. 4, 2019, at a Devon Energy well site after West signed a delivery ticket and walked away from a trailer. Evidence presented to jurors alleged Walker then accelerated and turned sharply, causing the rear of the trailer to run over West. Jurors also heard testimony that Walker left the scene and later returned after being directed to do so, according to the trial narrative described in reports.

West suffered severe injuries and later died. Family testimony included emotional accounts of West’s final moments, and jurors were asked to determine negligence and divide responsibility among the driver, the trucking company, and Colorado Materials.

Breakdown of the $46 million award

The damages included:

• $20 million for West’s pain and mental anguish before death

• $13 million to Jimmy West for loss of companionship and mental anguish

• $13 million to Judy Jaso for loss of companionship and mental anguish

Following the verdict, attorney Rusty Hardin said in a statement that the jury’s decision reflected “the value of his life,” while the defense may still pursue post-trial motions or an appeal, which could affect the final outcome and collection.

Safety spotlight

The case also drew attention to the dangers present at active oilfield sites, where heavy truck traffic and equipment movements create ongoing risks—issues that often become central in civil cases when juries evaluate who controlled on-site safety and decision-making.

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