Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to face a jury over a 2022 traffic collision that a woman says caused permanent brain damage and other severe, lasting injuries.
The lawsuit filed by Cheryl Augustine against Schwarzenegger and his production company is scheduled to go to trial Oct. 12 at the Beverly Hills Courthouse.
Court records indicate Schwarzenegger is expected to be the first witness after attorneys complete jury selection and deliver their opening statements.
“Mr. Schwarzenegger now admits he ran a red light while driving his SUV, causing the accident,” a filing in the case says.
The lawsuit stems from a Jan. 21, 2022, crash at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Allenford Avenue.
Augustine’s lawyers say she lost consciousness in the collision and sustained permanent brain damage. The upcoming proceedings are expected to concentrate largely on the extent of the damages she claims.
In her initial complaint, Augustine alleges that Schwarzenegger and the other defendants negligently and recklessly operated the vehicle, causing it to collide with her car.
She claims the crash injured her body and nervous system, leaving her with ongoing physical and emotional pain. The complaint also warns that her condition may lead to “some permanent disability.”
Augustine says she required care from doctors and surgeons after the wreck and has accumulated medical and related expenses. She further alleges that her injuries prevented her from performing her usual work and could keep her from working for some time in the future.
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Her requested damages include medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage, loss of use of her automobile and other expenses. The complaint does not identify a specific dollar amount.
Meanwhile, the parties are disputing proposed security arrangements for the trial.
Schwarzenegger and Oak Productions have asked the court to approve heightened security, including coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and limits on photography, video and audio recording near the courtroom.
The defense is also seeking an order requiring anyone who “publicly promotes this trial or the attendance of any witness” to cover the cost of additional security.
Augustine opposed the request in a Sept. 28 filing, urging the judge to reject it. Her attorneys contend that requiring her to pay for extra security would create an unconstitutional “trial tax” and infringe on First Amendment rights.
They also maintain that no statute, court rule or published decision expressly authorizes charging a litigant for courthouse security.
Still, the central dispute at trial will be the circumstances of the crash and the injuries Augustine says it caused.
Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. before Judge Edward B. Moreton Jr. in Department 205 of the Beverly Hills Courthouse.
Schwarzenegger, a Republican who served as California governor from 2003 to 2011, is also known for starring in films including Terminator 2: Judgment Day, The Terminator, Predator, Total Recall, Commando and True Lies.
