$61M verdict against 2 drivers responsible for the death of Torrance high school baseball player

A Los Angeles County jury on Tuesday awarded $61 million to the parents of a high school baseball player in Torrance killed when his car was hit by two men engaged in a high-speed chase.

Jesse Esphorst Jr. was 16 when he was killed in a three-vehicle crash in 2017.

"Jesse was loved by everyone who knew him and not a day goes by that his family, or his community don't grieve this tragic loss," said lead plaintiffs' counsel Robert Clayton of Taylor & Ring. "Today's verdict gives his family some support they need to continue to navigate their lives while dealing with this unimaginable tragedy."

Lawrence Marks of Mardirossian Akaragian LLP was also a member of the plaintiffs' trial team.

Lawyers for the two drivers, Darryl Hicks and Tung Ming, could not immediately be reached. The men were convicted in January 2020 of vehicular manslaughter and reckless driving causing injury or death.

According to the complaint, Hicks, who was 21 at the time, was driving his Audi in Torrance when he swiped Ming's car and fled the scene. Ming called 911 and claimed he was encouraged by the operator to drive after the vehicle to obtain the license plate number. A chase ensued reaching 120 miles per hour. At the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and Crest Road in Torrance, both vehicles ran a red light and collided with a minivan being driven by Jesse Esphorst Sr. Jesse Jr. was the front seat passenger in that minivan. He was killed and Jesse Sr. sustained serious injuries.

The jury awarded mother Julie Esphorst more than $23 million in wrongful death damages and awarded Jesse Sr., who was in the car at the time, $16 million for his injuries and $20 million for wrongful death damages. The jury also awarded $2 million in punitive damages against Ming and $18,000 in punitive damage against Hicks. The total damage award to the Esphorsts was $61.7 million. The jury found Ming to be 95% at fault and Hicks 5%.