Wreck on MLK leads to lawsuit

An Orange County man claims he incurred medical costs after a driver ran a red light and crashed into him.

Cody Montalvo filed a lawsuit Jan. 28 in Jefferson County District Court against Belinda Torres.

Montalvo claims Torres struck him at the intersection of Franklin Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Beaumont on March 30, 2008.

Because of the accident, Montalvo experienced physical pain, suffering, mental anguish and physical impairment and lost wages, according to the complaint.

He blames Torres for causing the accident, saying she entered the intersection against a red light, failed to exercise due care, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply her brakes, failed to keep her vehicle under control and failed to swerve to avoid the collision.

Montalvo seeks an unspecified judgment, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief to which he may be entitled.

Jeffrey C. Chilton of Packard Lapray in Beaumont will be representing him.

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

Jefferson County District Court case number: E185-815.