Jun 18, 2014 1 min read

A Washington County jury found a Carmichaels woman negligent for her role in a September 2008 construction zone accident and ordered her to pay $126,000 in restitution.

The jury returned its verdict Wednesday after a three-day trial before Washington County Judge Katherine Emery.

Jennifer Weaver, 43, was found negligent for striking state Department of Transportation worker John B. Puckey, 51, of Cokeburg, with her vehicle while he was working in a construction zone on Route 88 in East Bethlehem Township.

Weaver’s attorney, Joseph Hudock, argued that heavy rain caused steam to rise from the hot asphalt that morning, which impaired Weaver’s visibility.

“She couldn’t see him,” he said.

Puckey’s attorneys, Lawrence Kelly and Richard Trankocy, argued that Weaver failed to yield the right of way to a construction worker in a construction zone.

Puckey was providing traffic control when the accident occurred. Although jurors also found Puckey negligent, they ruled that his actions did not contribute to the accident.

Both Puckey and Weaver declined to comment.

The restitution covers lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and future medical services.

Puckey was taken to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown, W.Va., for treatment of skull, leg and rib fractures.