Alon makes payments to plaintiffs

August 27, 2011

Howard County Sheriff Stan Parker confirmed Friday damages awarded to three Crossroads residents as a result of the 2008 explosion at the Big Spring Refinery have been paid after a writ of execution was issued in the lawsuit.

Plaintiffs Beverly Smithie and Ron and Debra Walker were awarded more than $350,000 for property repair and medical expenses in 118th District Court in December after a jury found Alon USA — owner of the refinery — guilty of negligence in the accident that shook the Big Spring area Feb. 18, 2008.

The jury awarded damages for Smithie in the amount of $236,605 for property damage and $8,400 for medical expenses. The Walkers were awarded $105,200 for property damage and $10,200 for medical expenses in the December proceedings.

For more information, you may subscribe to the Big Spring Herald or purchase an e-edition.