Seven women and five men were chosen Wednesday for the trial of a lawsuit filed against CBS by the family of a security guard fatally struck by a production van while working near an “NCIS” set in Santa Clarita.
Julio Villamariona, 52, of Reseda was in a “base camp” parking lot for the television show on Feb. 9, 2011, when he was hit by the 15-passenger 2006 Ford E-350 van driven by Ralph Blunt, who was shuttling actors and crew members from the parking lot to the “NCIS” set, according to the CBS attorneys’ court papers.
Blunt, then 60, passed out and lost control of the vehicle, according to the CBS attorneys’ court papers. The van hit Villamariona, a tree and finally two parked cars at the bottom of an embankment, the CBS attorneys state in their court papers.
Blunt and Villamariona were taken to a hospital, but Villamariona died in an ambulance en route there, the CBS attorneys state in their court papers.
Villamariona’s widow, Zoila Villamariona, and three children — Marcela and Ivania Villamariona and Yasmara Garcia — sued CBS and Blunt in Los Angeles Superior Court in July 2012.
Both sides agreed Blunt was negligent and that the plaintiffs’ out-of-pocket losses are $450,000. The trial will determine if the family members are entitled to damages for their pain and suffering.
The plaintiffs’ attorney is Brian Panish, who represented Katherine Jackson and the children of the late Michael Jackson in their unsuccessful lawsuit against AEG Live, the promoters of the King of Pop’s never-realized comeback tour. The Jacksons maintained AEG Live had a role in hiring Dr. Conrad Murray as the singer’s personal physician.
CBS’ lawyer is Dana Alden Fox, who represented former Dodger owner Frank McCourt in a lawsuit filed by Giants fan Bryan Stow. Stow won an $18 million verdict stemming from a brain injury he received from an attack by Dodger fans in a Chavez Ravine parking lot in March 2011.
CBS temporarily suspended production of “NCIS” after Villamariona’s death and the company released a statement at the time.
“Everyone at the network, the studio and NCIS is devastated by the news,” according to the statement. “Our hearts grieve for his family and friends for this tragic loss.”
NCIS producers also issued a statement:
“With profound sympathy we mourn the tragic passing of our co-worker and friend. ‘NCIS’ is a family. And, as with any family, we are deeply saddened by this unexpected loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.”
