Glen Rock Crash Ended a Hockey Career

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

GLEN ROCK, NJ – A Bergen County jury has delivered a landmark $19 million verdict to Glen Rock native and former New York Rangers prospect Brandon Crawley. The massive award follows a high-profile legal battle over a 2018 Uber crash that Crawley’s attorneys say prematurely ended his professional hockey career.

The verdict not only provides compensation for the athlete but also challenges the core business model of ridesharing giants regarding driver classification.

A Fateful Ride on Christmas Day

In December 2018, Crawley—a 2017 fourth-round draft pick for the New York Rangers—was celebrating Christmas with family in Glen Rock. Making the responsible choice after having a few drinks, he hailed an Uber for a trip of less than a mile to his parents’ home.

During the short journey, the Uber vehicle veered off the road and “violently” struck a utility pole. While Crawley did not seek immediate emergency care, the physical toll became apparent the following day when he reported to the team trainer.

The Hidden Toll: Post-Concussion Syndrome

According to his attorney, Jeff Varcadipane, Crawley’s performance on the ice began to decline shortly after the accident. He was eventually diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome.

Despite spending two more years in the Rangers organization—frequently rotating between the rink and doctors’ offices—he was eventually dropped from the starting lineup. In 2021, the physical and neurological effects of the crash forced him to retire from professional hockey altogether.

Breaking the “Independent Contractor” Defense

The lawsuit, filed in Bergen County Superior Court, became a battleground for a major legal issue: whether Uber drivers are employees or independent contractors.

• The Verdict: The jury found that under New Jersey law, the driver met the criteria of an employee.

• The Breakdown: The $19 million award includes:

  • $15 Million for lost future career earnings.

  • $3 Million for past lost earnings.

  • $1 Million for pain and suffering.

Refusing to be Silenced

Varcadipane revealed that Uber offered several settlements during the process, but they all required Crawley to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA). Crawley refused, choosing instead to take the case to trial to hold the company publicly accountable.

“He wanted to expose that they don’t take ownership and accountability for their drivers,” Varcadipane stated. “He wanted people to know that his hockey career didn’t end because of lack of skill or talent, but because of the crash.”

Uber Responds

In a statement, an Uber spokesperson thanked the jury but noted the company believed the evidence warranted a different outcome. They emphasized that this specific jury decision does not set a broad legal precedent for the company’s operations.

Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories

#NYRangers #BrandonCrawley #UberLawsuit #BergenCounty #GlenRockNJ #SportsLaw #RideshareSafety #LegalNews #NJLaw #HockeyLife