Swift Avoids Trial on Some Claims by Driver Over Sexual Assault

Swift Transportation Co. of Arizona must face trial on a female driver’s claims that its negligent hiring and supervision of a male driver resulted in her sexual assault, a Florida federal judge ruled.

The ruling Wednesday by the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida addressed when an employer may be liable under Arizona law for failing to adequately probe a potential employee’s criminal past before hiring them. The court rejected Swift’s contention that it couldn’t have lawfully discovered Murray Willis’ 2011 plea agreement on false imprisonment and battery charges involving a female victim when it hired him ...