Illegal turn on Dowlen Road leads to lawsuit

A Groves woman has filed suit against the Beaumont driver she says made an improper turn and struck the car in which she was riding.

Terrie Cimino claims she was riding as a passenger in a vehicle traveling west in the 4200 block of Dowlen Road in Beaumont on Dec. 20, 2008, when Hazel Ann Hamlin exited a private drive and made an improper wide right turn, colliding with the vehicle in which Cimino was riding.

After striking the vehicle, Hamlin left the scene of the collision, according to the complaint filed Dec. 10 in Jefferson County District Court.

Because of the accident, Cimino incurred medical costs and experienced physical pain, suffering, physical impairment and mental anguish, the suit states.

The complaint alleges Hamlin negligently failed to make a proper turn, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to yield the right-of-way, failed to timely apply her brakes and failed to keep her vehicle under control.

Cimino is seeking an unspecified judgment, plus pre-judgment interest at the maximum rate allowed by law, post-judgment interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief to which she may be entitled.

Jill S. Chatelain of McPherson, Hughes, Bradley, Wimberley, Steele and Chatelain in Port Arthur will be representing the plaintiff.

The case has been assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: B185-470.