Paris Hilton's brother lands in $5m charge

PARIS Hilton's younger brother has been ordered to pay almost $5 million to a former gas station attendant he struck with his car almost three years ago. The judgment refers to a 2008 incident in which the then 18-year-old Barron Hilton allegedly hit the victim Fernando Tellez with his Mercedes-Benz at a service station on the Pacific Coast highway. Barron was arrested the same day, both for driving under the influence and owning a fake driver's licence, and later pleaded no contest. He was given three years' probation as a result. "This wild night of reckless partying resulted in Mr. Tellez's permanent disability, required him to undergo multiple surgeries and medical procedures and destroyed his family and his ability to provide for his family," the victim's attorney told the Los Angeles Times. The $4.9 million judgement includes $4.6 million for Tellez's pain, suffering, medical expenses and loss of earnings, as well as $225,000 in punitive damages and around $71,000 in interest. It was reported back in 2009 that Barron was planning to follow in his sister's footsteps and launch a career in the music industry. LAT

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