Romulo Ray Rufo v. United States of America
Opinion
Trial Court Opinion
I. Factual Findings
Plaintiffs Romulo Ray Rufo and Trina Rufo (“Plaintiffs”) brought this action against the United States (“the Government”) for injuries stemming from a car accident that Mr. Rufo had with a Government vehicle. At the time of the accident, Mr. Rufo was a 51-year old man living in Long Beach, California with his wife, Mrs. Rufo. See Trial Transcript Day 1, Dkt. # 64 (“Trial Tr. I”) 215:12–13. Mr. Rufo worked at Southern California Edison in their Rosemead office. See id. 215:16–17. Prior to the accident, Mr. Rufo had a medical history that included obesity, type II diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension. See id. 89–90. On Wednesday, March 16, 2016 Mr. Rufo was driving to work along the I-710 freeway. See Trial Transcript Day 2, (“Trial Tr. II”) 11. Mr. Rufo was hit from behind by Special Agent Albert Smith of the Drug Enforcement Agency. Trial Tr. I 222–24. SA Smith was on-duty at the time of the accident. See id. 14:21. Mr. Rufo testified that he stopped his vehicle, looked in his rear-view mirror, and saw SA Smith driving toward him while looking distracted by something in his center console. See id. 223:19–24.