[Atomic Rooster]

Migden's wild ride costs state $335,000

Quote:

The state will pay $335,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by a woman former state Sen. Carole Migden rear-ended after a wild 30-mile drive in Solano County, attorneys in the case said Monday.

Several motorists called 911 after seeing the San Francisco Democrat weaving in and out of traffic on Interstate 80 and Highway 12 on May 18, 2007, in her state-issued Toyota Highlander hybrid sport utility vehicle. At one point, Migden sideswiped a guardrail on I-80 near American Canyon Road.

"She's been on the phone and reading a book, doing about 80 miles per hour," one driver said in his 911 call. "She's really scary."

Migden's drive came to an abrupt halt when she rear-ended a 2005 Honda sedan driven by Ellen Butawan, who was slowing for a red signal light at the intersection of Beck Avenue and Highway 12 in Fairfield, the California Highway Patrol said.

Butawan, now 33, who suffered minor injuries, sued the state and Migden in Solano County Superior Court last year. The state has agreed to pay $335,000 to settle the suit, said Steven Gevercer, supervising deputy attorney general.

The state budget is bad enough, now we have to pay for this idiot's mistake.