The family of a Carlsbad man killed in a 2010 accident when his vehicle collided with an oil industry tanker has been awarded $58.5 million.
The award this week by a state court jury in Santa Fe to Kevin Udy's widow and children in a wrongful-death suit includes $47 million in punitive damages against three companies.
Jurors said they expect a higher standard of safety and training from the trucking industry.
The tractor-trailer operated by Zia Transport Inc. of Hobbs was used to carry water extracted from oil wells near Carlsbad.
Defendants in the suit included the Zia Transport and two Texas companies, Bergstein Enterprises and Standard E&S LLC, along with the driver.
Defense attorney Randal Roberts says the award isn't "supportable" will be appealed.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.