Ventura County Star: Trial in T.O. cyclist’s death starts - Motorist admits fault; family seeks more monetary damages

The trial in the wrongful death of Glenn B. Garvin is under way in Ventura County Superior Court and is expected to go to the jury on Thursday. Norma Seigel, 82, of Thousand Oaks, has said she was responsible for Garvin’s death. What is at issue in the trial, which began Friday, is the amount of some of the damages as a result of the accident.

Garvin, an avid bicyclist, was struck by a vehicle and killed Sept. 16, 2006, while riding along Westlake Boulevard. Garvin, 49, of Thousand Oaks, was also a popular dentist and member of the city’s traffic advisory board, according to the suit.

Seigel was traveling north in her vehicle when witnesses said she swerved into the bicycle lane. Garvin suffered massive head injuries.

The lawsuit says Seigel’s ophthalmologist told her eight days before the accident that she had cataracts in both eyes. The day before the accident and during another visit to her ophthalmologist, she was told that she had “dense cataracts” in both eyes.

Seigel agreed to $39,878 in damages to cover such things as medical expenses and funeral costs.

Garvin’s lawyer, Mark Hiepler, and Seigel’s lawyer, Robert Hanger, have stipulated to liability, which means what is at issue in the trial is money damages for the loss of Garvin’s earnings, past and future.

He was an endodontist who had a very successful practice, earning about $746,633 in 2006, the lawsuit states.

Hiepler said the family lost a father and husband and the community lost a person who was dedicated to bicycle safety.

“There were more than 1,000 people at his funeral,” said Hiepler.

Garvin and his wife, Pamela, were married for 25 years and had two children, Andrew, 16, and Reed, 12.

Hiepler said he can’t discuss the amount of additional damages Garvin’s family will be asking the jury to award at this time.

“This is an extremely tragic case,” the lawsuit concludes. “A husband and father were prematurely taken from the lives of Pamela, Andrew and Reed Garvin, due to the negligence of defendant Norma Seigel. Damages in this case are extraordinary, due to the youth and wage-earning capability of Dr. Garvin.”