‘Tremendous amount of relief': Husband of JSO bailiff killed in 2018 DUI crash speaks out after $30.5M verdict
A former Jacksonville Sheriff's Office officer is speaking out about the $30.5 million verdict in his wife's wrongful death lawsuit.
RELATED: Family of JSO bailiff killed in 2018 drunk driving crash awarded $30 million by jury
Cathy Adams, a court bailiff, was killed by a drunk driver in 2018. Jack Adams, her husband, was also injured in the crash.
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After six years, the Adams family is one step closer to closure after a jury decided on a verdict Friday.
'It's been weighing on us heavily and to finally get past that, it was a tremendous amount of relief,' Jack Adams said.
RELATED: Widower forgives drunk driver who killed JSO bailiff Cathy Adams
In the crash, Adams broke his neck and suffered paralysis.
After a lot of therapy, community support, hard work, and prayers, Adams fought his way back to health.
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'My children lost their mother. I lost my wife, the person I depended on the most, and likewise my children,' Adams said.
While the verdict doesn't bring back Cathy, Adams and his attorney hope it sends a message to others who think about getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
'There are humungous consequences if you do that. So to think twice, if you're not going to do it for yourself, think of all the people you may impact,' Dennis Dore, a senior trial attorney at the Law Office of Ron Sholes, said.
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Kim Johnston, the drunk driver, was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
A judge still has to decide how much money the Adams family will get and if any will come from Johnston's insurance.
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