Gwyneth Paltrow Sued for Hit-and-Run as Victim Reenacts ‘scream’
Following the 2016 civil trial against Gwyneth Paltrow, Terry Sanderson—a retired optometrist- testified in court that he heard a “bloodcurdling scream” from the Hollywood star before the accident.
Sanderson, now 76, claimed that the collision resulted in “permanent traumatic brain injury, four broken ribs, pains, sufferings, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional distress and disfigurement.”
During his courtroom testimony in Park City, Utah, Sanderson recounted that he had joined a ski meet-up group to visit the Deer Valley slope on February 26, 2016 – a hill he had not previously skied on.
Before beginning their descent, the group received instructions to avoid skiing down the middle of the run due to its congestion.
Mr. Sanderson claims to have gone skiing following the guidance to stay on the right side of the slope to avoid people.
Gwyneth Paltrow ski crash victim can’t enjoy wine tastings due to injuries, expert says https://t.co/FtPYx5Psxh pic.twitter.com/eDI8mvTgPf
— New York Post (@nypost) March 22, 2023
“It was a nice beautiful day for skiing, and since I only went down the right side, it was almost like I was the only one skiing.”
Sanderson said, “I saw several “slow down” signs, and I made sure I respected that. I even saw that other people skiing on the left were going just as fast as I was”.
He testified that he made his way safely down the slope and was having a blast until the incident.
You may also like: World’s First Robot Lawyer Sued by a Law Firm for Lack of Law Degree
During his testimony, he recounted hearing a scream that he described as “bloodcurdling.”
Gwyneth Paltrow gets interrogated about whether she’s friends with Taylor Swift during ski accident trial due to her countersuit being $1, the same amount as Taylor’s lawsuit in 2017.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 25, 2023
He says the scream was so piercing and wasn’t like anything he’s ever heard in his 40 years of experience skiing just immediately after the cry made a loud thud.
He said, “I was looking straight ahead, and there was absolutely no one in front of me.”
The witness testified that he heard an unusual and terrifying scream he had never experienced at a ski resort. He then attempted to replicate the sound he heard.
The Witness’ Claims
He described the noise afterward as a “boom.” The sound is similar to someone out of control and about to crash into a tree.
The witness stated that he was struck in his back, causing him to fly uncontrollably and see only snow. He felt a severe smack in his shoulder blades and had no control of his movement before blacking out.
Also, the witness claimed to have no recollection of whether or not Paltrow landed on him. But he heard an angry male voice blaming him for the accident. He felt bullied and intimidated by the shouting and apologized to appease the man.
Mr. Sanderson, who had been an avid skier for more than 30 years and typically hit the slopes just a few times a week, claims to have never experienced a skiing accident. The incident with Paltrow is a first and has left him utterly devastated.
This Gwyneth Paltrow skiing accident trial is so bizarre that CBS put together a greatest hits compilation of the 12 most interesting (batshit crazy) pieces of testimony. pic.twitter.com/GUgdXrypWc
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) March 29, 2023
When the collision occurred in February 2016 at Deer Valley resort in Park City, Utah, Mr. Sanderson was 76 years of age and claimed that Paltrow crashed into him and not the other way around.
He attested that the collision resulted in a permanent brain injury, pain, four broken ribs, loss of enjoyment of life, suffering, disfigurement, and emotional distress. He is seeking damages of over $300,000.
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Defense
Paltrow, on the other hand, denied all the accusations and claims. She said that it was Mr. Sanderson who crashed into her.
During the court hearing, Paltrow testified that she thought the ski collision was a sexual assault. From her point of view, she said she felt Mr. Sanderson crashes into her from behind.
“I felt his body crash into me from behind. And I can’t tell how far he skied from, but I did feel a press from behind,” Paltrow said.
“I froze up and had no idea what was going on. The pressure from the back sort of forced my legs apart.”
Paltrow added, “I could hear a strange grunting noise from the person who crashed into me, and I was still in a lot of shocks and couldn’t make sense of what was happening.”
“I initially thought this was a prank or something and was wondering who would do something so perverted.”
Related Articles
The Rise of A24: The Indie Film Studio That’s Taking Over Hollywood
Paltrow clarified that she was not accusing Mr. Sanderson of sexual assault but instead trying to understand what was happening.
Paltrow’s team has also accused Mr. Sanderson of exploiting her fame and wealth. He had told his daughter that he was now “famous” after the incident in response. Paltrow demanded only $1 and her legal fees to be paid for.
After Sanderson’s testimony ends, the jury would lay the case to rest. Paltrow’s defense would follow, after which could have the star’s children—Moses and Apple testify.
Want stories like this delivered straight to your inbox? Stay informed. Stay ahead. Subscribe to InqMORNING