A U-Haul truck barreled down an Oregon road at 100 mph before slamming into a couple's SUV, killing both occupants, according to a civil lawsuit filed against the rental giant. James Johnson, 64, and his wife, Lisa Johnson, 60, died in October 2023 in Portland when Jaylon Benjamin, who was 30 at the time, struck their vehicle while the posted speed limit was 45 mph.
Background
The fatal crash occurred when Benjamin, driving a U-Haul moving truck, allegedly lost control or failed to yield, T-boning the Johnsons' SUV. Data from the U-Haul's airbag control module revealed that Benjamin was traveling at 100 mph just two seconds before the impact. Although he applied brakes one second prior, slowing to 80 mph at the moment of collision, the force was sufficient to kill both James and Lisa Johnson at the scene.
The Charges
In the criminal case, a Multnomah County jury convicted Benjamin in November 2024 on all charges, including manslaughter and reckless driving. He was sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison. The Multnomah County District Attorney's Office noted that Benjamin claimed he was only driving 55 mph, but the electronic data proved otherwise. Now, the Johnsons' estate has filed a civil complaint against U-Haul, alleging the company was negligent for renting the truck to an "inexperienced driver" without a speed limiter or governor installed.
The lawsuit further alleges that U-Haul sold Benjamin a liability insurance policy that was not legitimate or backed by an Oregon-authorized self-insurer, meaning the vehicle could not be legally operated on Oregon roads. The complaint states U-Haul encouraged Benjamin to drive the vehicle despite knowing it lacked proper coverage and safety restrictions.
Key Takeaways
- James Johnson (64) and Lisa Johnson (60) were killed in Portland, Oregon, in October 2023.
- Driver Jaylon Benjamin was convicted of manslaughter and reckless driving in November 2024 and sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison.
- Airbag module data showed the U-Haul was traveling 100 mph shortly before the crash, despite a 45 mph speed limit.
- The Johnsons' estate is suing U-Haul for up to $104 million in damages.
- The lawsuit alleges U-Haul failed to install a speed governor and provided invalid insurance for the rental.
- U-Haul customer service representatives gave conflicting information to Law&Crime regarding whether governors are installed in their trucks.
What's Next
The civil lawsuit against U-Haul is pending, with the Johnsons' estate seeking up to $104 million in compensation for the wrongful deaths and economic losses. A U-Haul spokesperson declined to comment on the pending litigation. The case will likely hinge on evidence regarding U-Haul's internal safety policies and whether the company knowingly rented a vehicle with inadequate safety features and insurance coverage to an inexperienced driver.
The conflicting statements from U-Haul's customer service representatives—some claiming governors are in all trucks, others saying they are not employed—may become a focal point in the discovery phase of the civil trial.