Settlement Reached in Van Crash Lawsuit
MADISON, Wis. A settlement was reached Wednesday in a deadly van crash in 1999 that killed seven members of a magazine sales crew in Wisconsin, according to an Associated Press report.
Attorneys announced that the families of the deceased will share in a $1.85 million settlement, which includes compensation for four other workers badly hurt in the accident.
The lawsuit alleged the magazine sellers' employers, Youth Employment Services and Subscriptions Plus, were responsible for the accident. The settlement includes payments from the companies' insurance carriers and Karleen Hillary, owner of Subscriptions Plus.
The crash occurred as the driver attempted to switch places with another occupant while traveling about 80 mph. The driver, Jeremy Holmes, was sentenced to a seven-year prison term on charges of vehicular homicide. Choan Lane, 36, manager for Y.E.S. at that time, was sentenced to two years in prison and 19 months in jail on various charges.
In June 2000, Y.E.S was convicted of seven counts of homicide by negligent use of a vehicle and ordered to pay fines of $132,000 and restitution to the victims of the crash and their families, according to the report. YES has since changed its name to Atlantic Coast.
More Small Fleet

Developing Budget-Friendly Driver Safety Programs
From driver training and safety meetings to one-on-one coaching and incentive programs, several small fleets share how they have developed a safety culture with their drivers using low- to no-cost resources.
Read More →
Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections
AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.
Read More →
Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries
There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Read More →
It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report
What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.
Read More →
Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America
Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.
Read More →
VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone
A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.
Read More →
Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night
This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.
Read More →
AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski
VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!
Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.
Read More →

