Former Idaho Police Officer Awarded $717,000

A former Idaho officer with the Fort Hall Police Department injured when his patrol vehicle was hit by another vehicle has been awarded $717,000 by a Pocatello jury.

But Nicolas Garcia says he’d rather continue working as a police officer than have the money.

The Idaho State Journal reports the jury last week awarded Garcia $210,757 in lost wages, $206,179 for future lost wages, and $300,000 for noneconomic damages.

In September 2007, Garcia was driving home in his patrol car when he was hit by another car that failed to yield at a stop sign. He suffered career-ending back injuries.

Garcia’s case involved the underinsured motorist who hit him, a worker’s compensation claim, and Granite State Insurance, which is the underinsured policy provider for Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.