Jury Orders Prairie Farms Dairy to Pay $241M Over 2016 Death

Family of man who died transporting frozen strawberries wins major lawsuit against dairy company.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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A Madison County jury has ordered Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc. to pay $241 million to the family of Eric Johnson, who died in 2016 while transporting frozen strawberries containing dry ice for the company. Johnson's family alleged that Prairie Farms failed to warn him about the dangers of transporting the dry ice, leading to his death.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of workplace safety and the responsibility companies have to properly train and inform their contractors about hazardous materials. The large punitive damages award also sends a strong message about the consequences of negligence that leads to a preventable loss of life.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Prairie Farms hired Johnson's courier service CJS Express in 2016 to transport frozen strawberries containing dry ice from St. Charles, Illinois to Fayetteville, Arkansas. The family alleged that a Prairie Farms employee loaded the products into Johnson's truck but did not warn him about safely transporting the dry ice. An hour and a half into the drive, Johnson was found unconscious in his car in a parking lot, and he died three days later at a hospital.

  • In 2016, Prairie Farms hired CJS Express to transport frozen strawberries containing dry ice.
  • On the day of the incident, Johnson began driving the strawberries from St. Charles, Illinois to Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  • About an hour and a half into the drive, Johnson was found unconscious in his car in a parking lot.
  • Johnson died three days later at a hospital.
  • In 2017, Johnson's family filed a lawsuit against Prairie Farms Dairy in Madison County, Illinois.

The players

Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc.

A dairy company headquartered in Illinois that hired the courier service to transport frozen strawberries containing dry ice.

Eric Johnson

The courier driver who died after transporting the frozen strawberries containing dry ice for Prairie Farms Dairy.

CJS Express

The courier service owned by Eric Johnson that was hired by Prairie Farms Dairy to transport the frozen strawberries.

Paula Johnson

Eric Johnson's widow who had to close her sewing business to manage CJS Express and care for their two disabled children after his death.

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What they’re saying

“Our family is very grateful that the jury recognized the gravity of losing our beloved husband and father, Eric, due to the Defendants' reckless indifference to safety. We are also grateful that the verdict sends a strong message to these Defendants and others to ensure proper communication regarding dangerous chemicals. We hope that this verdict prevents future tragedies like this one.”

— Paula Johnson, Eric Johnson's widow

What’s next

The judge will determine if Prairie Farms Dairy will appeal the $241 million jury verdict.

The takeaway

This case highlights the critical importance of workplace safety, especially when dealing with hazardous materials. Companies have a duty to properly train and inform their contractors about potential dangers, and the severe consequences of failing to do so.