In a shocking incident that has left a San Diego woman fighting for her rights, an already tragic occurrence has continued to unfold as the victim seeks justice and compensation for injuries sustained due to the alleged negligence of a Waste Management truck driver. On February 5, 2021, Deanna Beck, a former SeaWorld dolphin trainer, attempted to cross the parking garage of her Mission Valley apartment complex where she was struck by the vehicle, one of its metal arms impaling her through the hip, before she was thrown back to the ground the Times of San Diego reports.
Beck's injuries were extensive and life-altering; she endured trauma to her spine, neck, tailbone, and brain, which resulted in neurological impairments like seizures, memory loss, insomnia, hearing loss, and vertigo as Fox 5 San Diego details. Such physical challenges not only required extensive medical care and financial burden but also cost her employment and livelihood in her roles as a dolphin trainer and bartender, where she struggled with persistent memory loss and performance issues according to the East County Magazine.
Since the accident, Beck's life has been nothing short of a struggle, with an undetermined amount of over $25,000 sought for damages in a lawsuit against Waste Management due to the economic losses and insurmountable medical expenses incurred as reported by Fox 5 San Diego. The civil jury trial is scheduled to begin on October 13, with a readiness conference planned for September 21 at 1:30 p.m.
At the heart of the case is the allegation that the driver of the Waste Management truck was on the phone at the time of the incident and failed to see Beck in the crosswalk before striking her with the vehicle as the East County Magazine points out. Furthermore, the driver had reportedly received multiple warnings for this behavior, with the Times of San Diego noting that attorney Corey Garrard claimed a supervisor had told the driver it was acceptable to use the phone during work as long as it was not in his hands – a clear infringement on company policy.
