Forest Street Construction Corporation (Forest Street) employs Robert on a full-time basis to drive one of its dump trucks to various Forest Street construction sites. Robert has worked for Forest Street as a truck driver for the past three years. On June 24th of this year, Robert was scheduled to drive a Forest Street dump truck loaded with asphalt from Low Street to High Street, which requires drivers to cross the Stow Bridge. However, because Robert had a medical emergency on the morning of June 24th, he asked his good friend, Sarah, to fill-in for him. Sarah is an experienced truck driver who works for a different company. Kelly, Forest Street’s office manager, was unaware of Robert’s decision to ask Sarah to serve as a substitute driver for him on the morning of June 24th.
The Stow Bridge crosses the Oak River. The Oak River is about 100 meters wide and separates the east side of the city of Woodhaven from its west side. Each side of the bridge is populated by small businesses that serve city residents. The Stow Bridge is the only downtown bridge that connects the east and west sides of Woodhaven. The closest alternative bridge is located about 12 miles from the Stow Bridge. At 10:15 a.m. on June 24th, Sarah responded to a text message while driving the Forest Street dump truck that Robert was scheduled to drive. With her eyes off the road, Sarah crashed the truck into one of the concrete structures supporting the Stow Bridge resulting in serious structural damage to the bridge. Repairing the bridge cost the city of Woodhaven \($2.3\) million and required closure of the bridge for 17 days. The crash also caused three vehicles to collide resulting in serious bodily injuries to three adults and two children, and it caused extensive damage to the vehicles. Additionally, a police officer was injured as she was directing traffic. The police officer witnessed the accident. In addition to the personal injuries caused by the accident, 22 businesses located on each side of the bridge allege that they suffered economic damages in the range of \($2.6\) to \($3.1\) million because their regular customers were unable to cross the bridge and took their business elsewhere.
A. Should any persons or entities be held legally responsible for the personal injuries experienced by the individuals involved in the accident? Why? Based on what facts and relevant legal theories?
B. Should any persons or entities be held legally responsible for the property damages associated with the bridge and the vehicles? Why? Based on what facts and relevant legal theories?
C. Should any persons or entities be held legally responsible for the economic damages related to the 22 businesses? Why?
Based on what facts and relevant legal theories?
D. Did Robert act ethically? Why? Based on what facts and relevant ethical theories?
E. Did Sarah act ethically? Why? Based on what facts and relevant ethical theories?