By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

A WOMAN sued for injuring a girl when her vehicle struck the minor crossing the road in 2001 is not liable for the negligence claim of the plaintiff, according to six jurors on Friday.
Jacinta Salas Cruz, who was represented by attorneys Sean Frink and John Osborn, wept after hearing the verdict in Superior Court.
The jury trial was presided over by Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama started on Monday and concluded on Friday.
After the verdict was read, Cruz was embraced by her family and friends.
Osborn said they were happy with the verdict.
“We appreciate the jury’s hard work,” he said. “We are thankful that the girl recovered from the injuries she sustained but our position in this case was that it was nobody’s fault. It was simply an accident and the jury agreed with our position,” Osborn said.
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Eric Smith, declined to comment.
Cruz was sued by Teflin J. Nisiuo through her personal representative Sister Marcus on Nov. 23, 2004.
The plaintiff was still a minor when struck by the vehicle while walking on the side of a road in Dandan by the intersection next to the Nec-Nat Store on April 6, 2001.
Cruz was operating the vehicle at that time of the incident.
The plaintiff was bruised, cut, lacerated, and sustained straines, and sprains.
She was hospitalized and underwent treatment, incurring medical expenses.
Her lawsuit sought damages on negligence claims.