By Brad Watson, September 17, 2004

A jury on Thursday slammed a Texas bus company with a judgment of almost $71 million.

The verdict resulted from the crash of one of the company's buses near Terrell two years ago that left four teenagers dead and dozens hurt.

After almost three days of deliberations, the jury found that bus company owner Rockmore was negligent, and then added some big numbers. Jurors awarded the 16 injured survivors who sued Rockmore almost $69 million for medical bills and pain and suffering. The jury assessed $2 million more in punitive damages for Rockmore's conduct.

Leaving court, Rockmore maintained he still was not at fault.

"Responsibility? Like I said, (there's) a lot of people that had responsibility that had not been brought up," he said.

Four teenagers from the Metro Church of Garland died when the bus operated by Eric Rockmore's company, Discovery Tours of Texas, crashed on Interstate 20.

A state investigation found driver Ernest Carter, who also died, fell asleep at the wheel. An autopsy revealed cocaine and valium in Carter's system, and federal safety records indicated he didn't have adequate sleep before the trip. Rockmore testified he didn't make Carter take a drug test.

Attorney Mark Werbner, who represents the family of injured passenger 15-year-old Nick Stout, said the verdict should send a message.

"The industry needs to know these aren't just sort of desirable things," Werbner said. "These are mandatory requirements, and when they are not followed, these kinds of tragedies like these families experienced will happen."