Woman says wreck due to driver on cell phone

A Beaumont woman claims a cell phone caused a distracted driver to strike her vehicle in the middle of an intersection.

Mina Green filed a lawsuit Jan. 6 in Jefferson County District Court against Mariela Corona and Radillo Corona.

In her complaint, Green claims she and minor J. Bennett were riding in a vehicle traveling on Houston Street in Beaumont on Feb. 23, 2010, when Mariela Corona, who was driving a vehicle insured by Radillo Corona, struck their vehicle.

At the time of the collision, Mariela Corona was driving on Corley and had just entered its intersection with Houston Street, according to the complaint. She was talking on her cell phone upon impact and had failed to stop at the proper spot, the suit states.

Because of the collision, Green suffered severe neck, shoulder, hip, leg and back injuries while Bennett sustained chest and right knee injuries, the complaint says. In addition, Green claims she and Bennett suffered from a diminished earning capacity and sustained physical impairment, mental anguish and physical pain.

Green claims she incurred medical costs and lost earnings due to the collision.

She blames Mariela Corona for causing the accident, saying she negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply her brakes, failed to yield the right-of-way and failed to control her speed.

In her complaint, Green seeks an unspecified judgment, plus pre-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Jonathan C. Juhan and J.J. Bragg of Beaumont will be representing her.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. E191-633