In June 2010, Phil Torrey, a lobsterman, crashed into another lobster boat and killed a man, aged 71.  Torrey has admitted to eating his lunch and not paying attention to where his boat was headed when the incident occurred.  Torrey’s boat cut the other into two and it quickly sank.  The widow and the Coast Guard are now suing Torrey for damages.  The Coast Guard is suing for $30,000, the maximum allowed, for Torrey’s negligence.

However, Torrey claims that the other boat was supposed to give way to his.  This is really the only defense he has.  The widow is suing for the funeral and burial expenses, and emotion distress incurred from losing her companion.  Torrey changed her life forever.