A federal judge has dismissed a negligence lawsuit against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. This lawsuit was linked to a tragic truck crash that resulted in the deaths of five members of the Godinez family in Colorado. The ruling, made by Judge Nina Y. Wang on March 11, 2025, determined that State Farm could not be held responsible for the crash that occurred on June 13, 2022.
The lawsuit was filed by Christian and Abigail Godinez, who argued that State Farm’s failure to inform federal regulators about an expired insurance policy led to a series of events culminating in the deadly accident. However, the court found this claim to be too speculative, leading to its dismissal with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought back to court.
The fatal accident took place on Interstate 25 when Aaron Godinez was driving his family back to Wyoming from Denver. Their vehicle was struck by a semi-truck driven by Jesus Puebla, an unlicensed driver working for Lucky 22, Inc., a subcontractor for Caminantes Trucking. All five family members tragically lost their lives at the scene.
Puebla was later convicted of vehicular homicide and other charges related to the crash. The lawsuit pointed to a history of safety violations by both Lucky 22 and Caminantes Trucking, claiming these companies should not have been operating under federal contracts, particularly for the U.S. Postal Service.
State Farm became involved because it had previously issued an insurance policy for Caminantes Trucking, which included a federal document ensuring minimum financial responsibility for commercial trucks. However, State Farm had declined to renew this policy in February 2020, citing safety concerns. The plaintiffs argued that State Farm’s failure to notify the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) about the nonrenewal allowed Caminantes to continue operating, leading to the crash.
In its defense, State Farm argued that it had no legal obligation to the plaintiffs and that its actions were not directly responsible for the accident. The judge agreed, stating that the plaintiffs failed to prove that State Farm’s actions caused the crash. She noted that Caminantes had ample time to secure new insurance and that the FMCSA does not automatically revoke a trucking company’s operating authority for a single uninsured vehicle.
The dismissal of this case marks a significant moment for insurance liability in commercial trucking accidents. It clarifies that an insurer’s failure to report a policy nonrenewal does not automatically result in liability, especially when other parties are involved and have had opportunities to comply with regulations.
While State Farm is no longer part of the lawsuit, the wrongful death claims against Caminantes Trucking, Lucky 22, and the U.S. Postal Service are still active. The Godinez family will likely shift their focus to these defendants, emphasizing their roles in the tragic incident.
This ruling raises important questions about the accountability of trucking companies and federal contractors, particularly regarding safety and regulatory compliance. As the legal battle continues, the Godinez family seeks justice for their loss, while the case highlights the need for stricter oversight of subcontracted trucking operations.