On July 18, 2015, plaintiff Stephen Wood, 19, a retailer’s part-time clerk, was bicycling north on 10th Street West, in Lancaster, when he was struck from behind by a pickup truck operated by Serapio Venegas. After the impact, Venegas, who had a suspended license, attempted to flee the scene while Wood remained trapped underneath the truck. Wood was dragged for nearly a half a mile before he became dislodged. He sustained to his head, forearms, left shoulder, left hand, knees, legs and right foot. Wood sued Venegas, alleging that Venegas was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. The city of Lancaster, Trautwein Construction Inc. and Los Angeles County Waterworks District No. 40 were also initially named as defendants. However, they were all let out after being granted motions for summary judgment, and the matter continued against Venegas only. Wood claimed that Venegas rear-ended his bicycle, which was lawfully being ridden on the street. Venegas claimed that Wood darted out in front of his vehicle while listening to music “turned all the way up” on his on earbuds. He also claimed that Wood knew that it was safer to ride his bike, which had no brakes, on the sidewalk. Venegas further claimed he did not know Wood was underneath his truck when he fled the scene., Wood sustained degloving to his left shoulder, left and right forearms, and left hand, resulting in an amputation of the middle finger on his left hand. He also sustained a degloving injury to the bone on the left side of his skull, resulting in the loss of a portion of his left ear. In addition, he sustained abrasions to his right foot, both knees, and left calf. Wood was taken to the emergency room at Antelope Valley Hospital and, the next day, he was transferred to Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center, in Los Angeles. From the date of the accident until Nov. 16, 2016, he underwent six surgeries to repair his . Despite the surgeries, Wood lost a portion of his left ear and his left hand’s middle finger was amputated. He also has extensive scarring on the left side of his head, left shoulder, back, forearms, and left hand. Wood was eventually able to return to work without limitations, and he reported no residual pain. However, Wood claimed that he requires cosmetic surgeries to improve the scarring and surgery to improve the functioning of his left hand. Wood sought recovery of $29,973 in past lost earnings, $116,840 in past medical costs and $594,552 in future medical costs. He also sought recovery of damages for his past and future pain and suffering. In addition, Wood sought recovery of punitive damages, contending that Venegas knew that he was trapped underneath the truck that Venegas acted with malice and oppression by fleeing the scene.