Arnold Schwarzenegger Heads to Jury Trial Over 2022 Crash

Arnold Schwarzenegger is scheduled to appear in court for a jury trial beginning October 12, facing allegations from a 2022 car crash that resulted in permanent brain damage and other severe injuries for plaintiff Cheryl Augustine. The trial will take place at the Beverly Hills Courthouse.

According to court filings, Schwarzenegger is expected to provide testimony early in the proceedings, following jury selection and opening statements. He has admitted to running a red light while driving his SUV, which he acknowledges led to the accident.

The collision occurred on January 21, 2022, at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Allenford Avenue. Augustine's legal team asserts that she sustained a loss of consciousness and lasting brain damage as a result of the crash. The trial will primarily address the extent of damages she claims to have suffered.

Augustine's original complaint alleges that Schwarzenegger and other defendants operated the vehicle negligently and recklessly, causing it to collide with her car. She claims the incident resulted in injuries to her body and nervous system, leading to ongoing physical and emotional distress, with the potential for some permanent disability.

She is seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, vehicle damage, loss of use of her automobile, and other associated costs. The precise total amount sought has not been specified in the complaint.

Meanwhile, a pretrial dispute is underway regarding security measures for the trial. Schwarzenegger and his production company, Oak Productions, have requested special security arrangements, including coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and limitations on recording in and around the courtroom. They also propose that anyone who promotes the trial or witness attendance should bear the cost of additional security.

Augustine's attorneys filed an opposition to this request on September 28, arguing that charging her for extra security would constitute an unconstitutional "trial tax" and infringe upon First Amendment rights. They contend that no existing statute, court rule, or published case law permits a litigant to be charged for courthouse security.

Schwarzenegger, a former Governor of California from 2003 to 2011, is known for his roles in films such as "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," "The Terminator," "Predator," and "Total Recall."