The verdict stems from a December 2022 crash on Interstate 5 that killed brothers Juan Carlos Rodriguez and Lionel Rodriguez, both fathers in their 30s.
A Sacramento jury has awarded more than $32 million to the family of two brothers killed by a police detective in a wrongful death lawsuit, bringing legal closure to a years-long case but leaving their mother saying justice has not been served.
The verdict stems from a December 2022 crash on Interstate 5 that killed brothers Juan Carlos Rodriguez and Lionel Rodriguez, both fathers in their 30s. A Sacramento police detective, Jonathan Nangle, later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of vehicular manslaughter.
For nearly four years, the families have navigated grief alongside a lengthy legal battle.
“It’s been extremely difficult for the family, but it’s good to finally have some closure from the legal process,” said John Demas of the Demas Law Group, who represents Juan Carlos Rodriguez’s estate. “It’s been a long journey for them, over 3+ years, working its way through the court system.”
On Monday, a Sacramento jury unanimously awarded $32.1 million in a wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of Rodriguez’s two children against the city.
“They were 6 and 10 years old. He was a union plumber, a great worker, a great man, and really just a fantastic father to two young children, and the jury saw all of that, and they were able to hold the city accountable for a significant verdict because the loss was so significant to these two children,” Demas said.
Family members declined to speak on camera, but the brothers’ mother, Virginia Carranza, said in a phone interview that while she is grateful for the settlement, it does not feel like justice.
Carranza previously said she did not believe there was meaningful punishment, noting the detective was not fired. She added that if the roles were reversed, her sons would likely have faced life in prison.
Demas said the verdict represents a form of justice because a jury reviewed the evidence and held both the city and the detective accountable.
“Obviously, no verdict is ever going to bring back Carlos Rodriguez, but there’s definitely a sense of vindication and closure that a jury saw the evidence, saw the relationship between the father and his children, and came back with a significant verdict that definitely brings some sense of justice for them,” he said.
The city of Sacramento has not responded to a request for comment.
Demas said the verdict is the largest against the city and should serve as a broader example.
“I think it sets the bar and the example for all negligent drivers, not just police officers, and when you break the rules of the road, you need to be held accountable, whether it’s a detective or a Sac County sheriff or a regular driver, and I think ultimately this is what we saw in this case,” he said.
Because Juan Carlos Rodriguez’s children are minors, the money will be placed in a trust and paid out over time. The Sacramento Police Department confirmed Nangle is still employed and referred further questions to the city.
Watch more: Stockton council to vote on 30% pay raise proposal
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read
1
/
12