Jury rules in favor of family in civil trial involving deadly crash in 2021 involving HPD officer

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Jurors have reached a verdict in a rare civil case involving the City of Houston and a Houston Police Department officer over a crash that killed a man nearly four years ago.

The jury decided the City of Houston must pay out $13 million to the family of Charles Payne, who died after an officer crashed into him on the day after Christmas in 2021.

"I know my husband is looking down," said Harriet Payne, the widow of Charles Payne. "He knows that we fought and we didn't give up."

Payne's car was hit by a police car driven by HPD Officer Christopher Cabrera, who, a lawsuit filed by Payne's family claims, was speeding when he crashed into him.

An investigation found Cabrera was going 70 miles per hour in a 35 miles per hour zone.

The jury decided the city's lax policies on how fast officers can speed ultimately led to his death.

Jurors asked multiple questions about testimony during deliberations. They deliberated for days before coming to a verdict on Monday afternoon.

"Hopefully the family finds peace with this decision and are comforted by what happened and someone held responsible," said Sean Churchill, the jury foreman. "To the city, I hope that they look at what the facts have shown within this case and make and implement changes that will help all the citizens of the city."

Houston's city attorney sent ABC13 this statement:

The City of Houston respects the work of the trial court and jury. It will closely examine the record to assess an appeal under Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal standards, which typically have not allowed similar claims to succeed. The COH lawyers will also engage in discussions with the lawyers for the Payne family to explore any resolution.

For more on this story, follow Pooja Lodhia on Facebook,X and Instagram.

Also follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.

SEE PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Civil trial continues for HPD officer who was speeding before deadly crash in 2021
HPD officer who was speeding before deadly crash in 2021 takes stand in civil trial
Rare trial against city of Houston and HPD officer after man dies in crash
Rare case against City of Houston and officer who killed a man in a crash moves forward