Walter Umphrey signs first plaintiffs to sue over massive I-10 pileup on Thanksgiving

Beaumont attorney Walter Umphrey, co-founder of the Walter Umphrey Law Firm, will represent the first plaintiffs to file suit over the massive Interstate 10 pileup that claimed two lives on Thanksgiving Day.

Representing the estate of Debra and Vincent Leggio Sr., Vincent Leggio Jr. filed suit against C.R. England, Richard Kerr, Tamika Francois and Cathryn Stegmoyer on Nov. 29 in Jefferson County District Court.

The sought was filed only one week following the deaths of the Leggios.

According to the lawsuit, on Nov. 22 the Leggios encountered several stopped vehicles blocking their lane of traffic on I-10 when Kerr, who was driving a tractor-trailer owned by C.R. England, failed to control his speed and struck their vehicle. Debra Leggio, 60, and Vincent Leggio, 64, of Pearland were killed in the crash.

Early morning fog may have led to the pileup, which eventually included more than 100 cars, according to local media reports. According to the Department of Public Safety and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 80 to 90 people were hurt, with 10 to 12 critically or seriously injured in addition to the two fatalities. It took more than eight hours to clear the interstate on one of the busiest road travel days of the year.

Defendant C.R. England is also charged with negligent entrustment.

The suit does not state the alleged negligence of defendants Francois and Stegmoyer.

The plaintiffs are suing for their mental anguish and funeral expenses.

Judge Gary Sanderson, 6oth District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. B193-657