Passenger sues driver of tow truck over collision

A Jefferson County man has filed suit against the tow truck driver he says struck him as the vehicle in which he was sitting attempted to make a left-hand turn.

Tommie Williams claims he was a passenger in a vehicle that was attempting to turn left from the 5500 block of College Street in Beaumont on June 5, 2008, when defendant Richard Bloss, who was driving a tow truck for Independent Wrecker Service, struck the vehicle in which Williams was riding.

Because of the collision, Williams suffered extreme pain and mental anguish, incurred medical costs, experienced physical impairment and lost earnings, according to the complaint filed March 19 in Jefferson County District Court. In addition, he lost consortium and suffered mental anguish, the suit states.

Bloss negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to maintain proper control of his vehicle, failed to keep the same distance a person using ordinary care would have kept and failed to maintain a single lane, the complaint says.

In his complaint, Williams is seeking a judgment within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus pre-judgment interest at the maximum rate allowed, post-judgment interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief to which he may be entitled.

Michael R. Ramsey and Chadwick G. Robison of the Mostyn Law Firm in Beaumont will be representing him.

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

Jefferson County District Court case number: E186-336.