It Figures

$21 Million

Settlement amount to be paid by one of the Big Dig’s largest contractors, Modern Continental Construction Inc., related to a fatal tunnel ceiling collapse as well as the cost of fixing leaks in the massive highway project, according to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. The company has also agreed not to perform any more work on the Big Dig. Modern Continental has filed for bankruptcy, so the agreement must be approved by a bankruptcy court.

$5 Million

Amount awarded to a Maine man for injuries sustained six years ago in an electrical accident at a Penobscot boatyard. Bryan Smith, now 24, was operating a crane when it hit a high-voltage power line. A judge found that Central Maine Power caused the accident because the power line was than 15 feet closer to the ground than it should have been. The judgment included $3 million in damages for loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and more than $1 million in lost earnings.

$500,000

Estimated amount of damage caused by an uninsured, alleged drunk driver in Vermont, who crashed his car into a commercial building in Hardwick and ignited a massive blaze. The building was home to three businesses. Police said the driver, 18-year-old Robert Dragon III, had consumed a half-bottle of tequila and other alcoholic beverages, and was driving at speeds of 90 miles per hour before the crash.

2,737

The number of speeding tickets issued by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety during the course of its recently ended “Stop Aggressive Driving” campaign. Among the other statistics: Police agencies made 26 arrests for aggressive driving, eight for DUI and 51 criminal arrests. Seatbelt citations were given to 205 drivers.

4

Number of Pennsylvania row houses involved in a massive South Allentown blaze that caused a combined $1 million in damages. No cause for the blaze has been determined. The fire was near where a gas explosion on Dec. 10, 2006, leveled three homes.