A Monterey County jury awarded $18.8 million to a former Rhode Island city councilmember who was struck by a vehicle in a marked crosswalk at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in 2023. The Monterey County pedestrian verdict against the State of California sends a clear signal about government accountability when public safety fails inside state parks.
How the Point Lobos Crash Happened
On June 10, 2023, Helen Anthony, then a sitting member of the Providence, Rhode Island City Council, was visiting Point Lobos State Natural Reserve in Monterey County. While walking across a pedestrian crosswalk in broad daylight, she was struck by a vehicle driven by a California State Parks volunteer.
The injuries were catastrophic. According to medical testimony presented at trial, Anthony suffered 20 broken ribs and a traumatic brain injury that will permanently affect her quality of life.
The State's Defense and a $50,000 Settlement Offer
The State of California argued that it did not bear responsibility for Anthony's injuries because the driver was a volunteer for Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, not a state employee.
Anthony's legal team pushed back on that defense. During trial, her attorneys presented evidence that the state had previously offered Anthony just $50,000 to settle the case. The jury ultimately rejected the state's position and returned a verdict nearly 376 times that settlement offer.
"This verdict makes clear that the State of California cannot escape responsibility by simply labeling someone a volunteer," said attorney Roger Dreyer, who represents Anthony. Dreyer added that the jury found the state failed to properly train and supervise the volunteer driver, and that the failure resulted in lasting consequences.
A Career in Public Service Cut Short
The Monterey County pedestrian verdict reflects more than a dollar figure. It captures the full scope of what Anthony lost.
Anthony had served on the Providence City Council for six years, representing Ward 2 and chairing the council's Finance Committee. On August 1, 2025, she resigned from office to focus on her recovery.
"I'm proud to have served Ward 2 and the City of Providence," Anthony wrote in her resignation letter. She noted that the demands of her council role were hindering her ability to heal from the 2023 crash.
For a public servant who spent years advocating for schools, city services, and local government, the decision to step down underscores the severity of injuries that a traumatic brain injury and 20 broken ribs impose on daily life.
What This Monterey County Pedestrian Verdict Means for Government Accountability
This $18.8 million jury award raises questions about how the State of California trains and supervises volunteers who operate vehicles inside state parks. The defense theory that volunteer status shields the state from liability did not persuade the jury.
The case also highlights pedestrian safety at California's state parks and natural reserves. Anthony was in a marked crosswalk in broad daylight when she was hit. Visitors to state parks expect a baseline level of safety, and this verdict suggests juries are willing to hold the state accountable when that expectation is not met.
A spokesperson for California State Parks could not be reached for comment, according to the East Bay Times.
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