CJ-2026-1012 - Jessica Sanders v. Adam Webster

What's This Case About?

Let’s be real: when you hear “Panera Bread,” the first thing that comes to mind is probably a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup or maybe that suspiciously soft sourdough. Not a 28-foot box truck slamming into someone’s car like it’s the final lap at Talladega. But here we are, folks — because according to a new lawsuit filed in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, a Panera delivery driver allegedly turned what should’ve been a routine sandwich run into a full-blown vehicular assault on the laws of physics, common sense, and apparently, traffic statutes.

Meet Jessica Sanders, a Tulsa County resident who, on September 13, 2024, was just trying to get from point A to point B — likely not expecting her journey to include an unwanted game of human pinball courtesy of a Panera Bread delivery truck. On the other side of this fender-bender-from-hell? Adam Webster, allegedly behind the wheel of a massive 28-foot UTM box truck owned by Panera, LLC — yes, that Panera, the one with the cozy cafes and free Wi-Fi. The kind of place where they give you a complimentary cookie if your soup is cold, but apparently don’t seem to care if their drivers are barreling down highways like they’re in a Fast & Furious spinoff.

According to the petition, Sanders was cruising southbound on US-169 in the middle lane, minding her business, probably listening to some chill indie folk or aggressively belting out Taylor Swift, when suddenly — BAM. Webster, driving in the inside lane next to her, decided to make a move. But instead of smoothly merging like a licensed human who passed driver’s ed, he allegedly “improperly changed lanes into Plaintiff, slamming into her vehicle, and dragging her to a stop.” Let that sink in: dragging her to a stop. This wasn’t a gentle nudge. This wasn’t a “whoops, didn’t see you there.” This was a full-contact collision so forceful it sounds like something out of a police dashcam blooper reel.

Now, you might think, “Okay, bad lane change, oops, insurance pays, life goes on.” But no. Sanders claims she didn’t just walk away with a dented fender and a spike in her cortisol levels. She says she suffered bodily injury, ongoing physical and mental pain, temporary disability, lost wages, and medical bills — the whole miserable package deal that turns a 10-second accident into months of doctor visits, therapy sessions, and rage-texting your lawyer at 2 a.m.

So why is this in court instead of settled quietly over a Zoom call with insurance reps? Because Sanders isn’t just suing the guy who hit her — she’s going after Panera itself, and she’s bringing the legal heat with four separate claims. First up: negligence under respondeat superior, which is a fancy Latin way of saying “your employee messed up while working, so you (Panera) are on the hook.” The argument here is simple: Webster wasn’t joyriding in a company truck on his lunch break. He was doing his job — delivering bread, bagels, or whatever carb-loaded cargo Panera trucks haul around — so Panera should be held responsible for his actions.

Then comes negligence per se, which means: “Hey, buddy, you didn’t just drive like a doofus — you broke actual laws.” Specifically, the filing cites two Oklahoma statutes: one requiring drivers to give their full time and attention to the road (shocking concept, we know), and another banning unsafe lane changes. If proven, this isn’t just “oopsie” territory — it’s “you violated a safety law meant to protect people like me” territory. And that can make a big difference when it comes to liability.

But wait — it gets juicier. Sanders’ lawyers aren’t stopping at “the driver was reckless.” They’re going full conspiracy-of-negligence mode with negligent entrustment — a claim that basically says, “Panera, you knew or should’ve known this guy shouldn’t have been behind the wheel of a 28-foot beast, yet you handed him the keys anyway.” Was Webster unqualified? Did he have a sketchy driving record? The petition doesn’t say for sure — it uses the classic legal hedge of “on information and belief” — but the implication is clear: Panera may have put a ticking time bomb on the road and called it a delivery vehicle.

And topping it all off? Negligent hiring, supervision, and retention — the trifecta of corporate liability. This claim suggests Panera didn’t just hand the keys to Webster once; they kept him employed despite red flags, failed to train him properly, and never stepped in to say, “Hey, maybe you shouldn’t be driving a truck bigger than a studio apartment.” It’s not just about one bad decision — it’s about a pattern of bad decisions that allegedly led straight to Jessica Sanders’ crumpled car.

Now, what’s she asking for? A cool $75,000 — actually, more than $75,000, since the petition repeatedly asks for damages “in excess of” that amount. Is that a lot? For a car accident with injuries, lost wages, and medical bills — maybe not. A single hospital visit can cost tens of thousands. Physical therapy adds up. And if Sanders missed work for weeks or months? That’s real money. But $75k is also the magic number in Oklahoma for state court jurisdiction — once you go over, you can’t be bumped down to small claims. So this isn’t just about compensation; it’s about making sure the case stays where it is, with a jury of regular Tulsans who might side with the woman whose commute turned into a horror story.

And oh yeah — she demanded a jury trial. Which means, if this doesn’t settle, we could be looking at a full courtroom drama where Panera Bread — a national brand that prides itself on artisanal bread and mindfulness — has to defend its truck-driving practices in front of 12 people who probably eat there every other Tuesday.

So what’s our take? Look, car accidents happen. We get it. But the most absurd part of this case isn’t the crash — it’s the pattern the plaintiff is alleging. It’s not just that a Panera truck hit someone. It’s that the company may have known the driver wasn’t fit to drive, failed to supervise him, kept him employed, and then let him loose in a vehicle that requires a commercial license and a functioning brain. If true, that’s not just negligence — it’s corporate negligence with a side of sourdough.

We’re not rooting for ambulance chasers or frivolous lawsuits. But we are rooting for accountability — especially when a multimillion-dollar sandwich empire treats public roads like its personal delivery racetrack. If Panera wants to be the “bread of life,” maybe they should start by making sure their drivers aren’t the “cause of strife.”

And seriously — if you’re going to name your truck after a sandwich chain, at least drive like you work for a company that believes in basic safety. This isn’t Panera Peril. It’s supposed to be Panera Pleasant.

Case Overview

$75,000 Demand Jury Trial Petition

Jurisdiction

District Court of Tulsa County, Oklahoma

Filing Attorney

Daniel B. Graves and Shea A. Bielby of GRAVES McLAIN INJURY LAWYERS

GRAVES McLAIN INJURY LAWYERS

Relief Sought

$75,000 Monetary

Plaintiffs

Jessica Sanders individual
Rep: Daniel B. Graves, OBA #16656 and Shea A. Bielby, OBA #33837 of GRAVES McLAIN INJURY LAWYERS

Defendants

Adam Webster individual
Panera, LLC d/b/a Panera Holdings Corp., d/b/a Panera Bread Company business

Claims

#	Cause of Action	Description
1	Negligence/Respondent Superior: Panera and Webster	Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Webster was driving a Panera box truck and negligently caused a collision with Plaintiff's vehicle.
2	Negligence Per Se: Webster	Plaintiff alleges that Defendant Webster's actions violated Oklahoma statutes and were per se negligent.
3	Negligent Entrustment: Panera	Plaintiff alleges that Panera negligently entrusted the box truck to Defendant Webster, who was unqualified to drive it.
4	Negligent Hiring, Supervision, and Retention: Panera	Plaintiff alleges that Panera failed to properly qualify, supervise, and retain Defendant Webster, leading to the collision.

Petition Text

1,038 words

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF TULSA COUNTY, OKLAHOMA JESSICA SANDERS, Plaintiff, vs. ADAM WEBSTER, an individual and PANERA, LLC d/b/a PANERA HOLDINGS CORP., d/b/a PANERA BREAD COMPANY, a Missouri corporation, Defendants. Case No: Judge: CJ-2026-01012 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED ATTORNEY LIEN CLAIMED RICHARD HATHCOAT PETITION COMES NOW Plaintiff, Jessica Sanders ("Plaintiff"), by and through her attorneys of record Daniel B. Graves and Shea A. Bielby of the firm GRAVES McLAIN INJURY LAWYERS, and for her cause of action against Defendants Adam Webster and Panera, LLC d/b/a Panera Holdings Corp., d/b/a Bread Company, a Missouri Corporation alleges and states as follows: I. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 1. Plaintiff Jessica Sanders ("Plaintiff") is now, and at all times relevant to this action has been, a resident of Tulsa County, Oklahoma. 2. On information and belief, and at all times pertinent hereto, Defendant Adam Webster ("Defendant Webster") was a resident of Rogers County, Oklahoma. 3. Defendant Panera, LLC d/b/a Panera Holdings Corp., d/b/a Bread Company ("Defendant Panera") is a Missouri for-profit corporation doing business in Tulsa County through its Panera Bread Company restaurants. 4. The acts and/or omissions giving rise to this lawsuit occurred in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. 5. This Court has personal jurisdiction over the parties to this action, subject matter jurisdiction over the claims set forth by Plaintiff, and venue is properly lodged with this Court. II. FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS 6. On or about September 13, 2024, Defendant Webster was driving Defendant Panera’s 2019 UTM twenty-eight (28) foot box truck ("Box Truck") in the inside southbound lane on US-169 in Tulsa County, Oklahoma next to Plaintiff who drove in the middle southbound lane. 7. Defendant Webster improperly changed lanes into Plaintiff, slamming into her vehicle, and dragging her to a stop. III. CAUSE OF ACTION FIRST CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Negligence/Respondent Superior: Panera and Webster) 8. Plaintiff repleads the allegations contained in Paragraphs 1 through 7, as though fully set forth herein. 9. Defendant Webster had a duty to operate his vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner to avoid causing a collision. 10. Defendant Webster breached this duty when he failed to maintain a proper lookout, made an improper lane change, and caused this collision with Plaintiff’s vehicle. 11. Defendant Webster’s acts and omissions to act described herein were negligent and grossly negligent and caused Plaintiff to suffer damages including, but not limited to, bodily injury, past and future physical and mental pain and suffering, temporary disability, past lost wages, and past medical expenses. 12. Defendant Webster was driving the Box Truck in the course and scope of his employment with Defendant Panera, and Panera is responsible for his negligence and gross negligence under the doctrine of respondeat superior. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Jessica Sanders, prays for judgment against Defendants Adam Webster and Panera, LLC d/b/a Panera Holdings Corp., d/b/a Bread Company; for an award of damages in an amount in excess of Seventy-Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($75,000.00), together with interest, costs, and attorney fees; and for all such other and further relief to which the Plaintiff may be entitled. SECOND CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Negligence Per Se: Webster) 13. Plaintiff repleads the allegations set forth in Paragraphs 1 through 7 and 9 through 12, as though fully set forth herein. 14. Defendant Webster’s acts and omissions violated Oklahoma Statutes 47 O.S. §11-901(b) (full time and attention) and 47 O.S. §11-309(2) (unsafe lane change). These statutes were meant to directly prevent occurrences and injuries such as those suffered by Plaintiff. 15. Defendant Webster’s acts, and omissions to act described herein, were per se negligent and grossly negligent and caused Plaintiff to suffer damages including, but not limited to, bodily injury, past and future physical and mental pain and suffering, temporary disability, past lost wages, and past medical expenses WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Jessica Sanders, prays for judgment against Defendant Adam Webster; for an award of damages in an amount in excess of Seventy-Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($75,000.00), together with interest, costs, and attorney fees; and for all such other and further relief to which the Plaintiff may be entitled. THIRD CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Negligent Entrustment: Panera) 16. Plaintiff repleads the allegations contained in Paragraphs 1 through 7; 9 through 12; and 14 through 15, as though fully set forth herein. 17. On information and belief, Defendant Webster was an unqualified driver at the time of the collision described herein. 18. Defendant Panera knew, or should have known, that Defendant Webster was unqualified to drive the Box Truck he operated, yet they entrusted the Box Truck to him. 19. Defendant Panera’s acts and omission to act described herein were negligent and grossly negligent and caused Plaintiff to suffer damages including, but not limited to, bodily injury, past and future physical and mental pain and suffering, temporary disability, past lost wages, and past medical expenses. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Jessica Sanders, prays for judgment against Defendant Panera, LLC d/b/a Panera Holdings Corp., d/b/a Bread Company; for an award of damages in an amount in excess of Seventy-Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($75,000.00), together with interest, costs, and attorney fees; and for all such other and further relief to which the Plaintiff may be entitled. FOURTH CLAIM FOR RELIEF (Negligent Hiring, Supervision, and Retention: Panera) 20. Plaintiff repleads the allegations contained in paragraphs 1 through 7; 9 through 12; 14 through 15; and 17 through 19, as though fully set forth herein. 21. On information and belief, Defendant Panera failed to properly qualify Defendant Webster before hiring him, failed to properly supervise him thereafter, and failed to discharge him from Panera. 22. Defendant Panera’s acts and omissions to act described herein were negligent and grossly negligent and caused Plaintiff to suffer damages including, but not limited to, bodily injury, past and future physical and mental pain and suffering, temporary disability, past lost wages, and past medical expenses. WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Jessica Sanders, prays for judgment against Defendant Panera, LLC d/b/a Panera Holdings Corp., d/b/a Bread Company; for an award of damages in an amount in excess of Seventy-Five Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($75,000.00), together with interest, costs, and attorney fees; and for all such other and further relief to which the Plaintiff may be entitled. Respectfully Submitted, By: ________________________________ Daniel B. Graves, OBA #16656 Shea A. Bielby, OBA #33837 GRAVES McLAIN INJURY LAWYERS 4137 S Harvard Ave Tulsa, OK 74135 Telephone: 918-359-6600 Fax: 918-359-6605 [email protected] [email protected] ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF