JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The husband of a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office bailiff killed in a 2018 DUI crash is reflecting on her life after her family was awarded over $30 million in a civil lawsuit.
In December 2018, Cathy, her husband Jack Adams, and their two kids were driving back from Orlando on Interstate 95 when Kim Johnston hit their SUV.
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Johnston was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2019 after she was convicted of DUI manslaughter and DUI resulting in serious bodily injury for the crash. Now she will have to pay millions of dollars to the Adams family for the crash.
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Adams hopes the civil verdict will send a message about the severe consequences of drinking and driving. He expressed a sense of vindication, hoping the judgment would deter others from making similar choices.
“It sends a strong message to anybody that may be thinking about drinking and driving that there’s very, very harsh consequences to that action,” Adams said.
The incident left lasting scars on the family as Adams and his two children continued to grapple with the trauma.
“We live with that every day,” Adams shared, reflecting on the memories of his late wife that linger in their home.
Despite the judgment, Adams acknowledges that no amount of money can make up for what happened.
“I would give it all back in a blink of an eye to go back to December 7 of 2018,” he said.
Adams, a retired motorcycle officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, now works at the University of North Florida as a campus officer. He still faces physical limitations from the crash but has seen improvements through physical therapy.
The family keeps Cathy’s memory alive by celebrating her love for Elvis Presley and her holiday traditions.
“We still keep those traditions alive in her honor,” Adams noted.
The legal battle is not over though. The next steps include suing Johnston’s insurance company. Adams' attorney, Dennis Dore, believes the insurance company mishandled the claim, failing to recognize settlement possibilities and advise their insured of the probable litigation outcome.
Dore, a senior trial lawyer with the Law Offices of Ron Sholes P.A., is satisfied with the jury’s decision, stating it provided the family with a sense of being heard and understood.
The case highlights the devastating impact of drunk driving, transforming what was once a joyous night for the Adams family into a lifelong tragedy.
“It’s a lesson that will hopefully resonate with some people out there who will make better choices,” Dore said.
Adams, who has forgiven the drunk driver, urges others to avoid drinking and driving.
“There are way too many other outlets to get home if you’ve been out drinking. If you don’t do it for someone else, do it for yourself,” he said, stressing the lasting impact decisions can have on families.