Crash at four-way stop leads to lawsuit

A Port Arthur man has filed suit against the driver who he claims failed to yield the right-of-way to him at an intersection.

John Polidore claims he was driving on 19th Street and had entered its intersection with U.S. 69 on Sept. 24, 2008, after stopping for a four-way flashing red light when the accident occurred.

"Defendant, Eugene Winter III failed to yield the right-of-way to Plaintiff, who had already established control of the intersection, slamming into Plaintiff," the suit filed July 30 in Jefferson County District Court states.

Because of the collision, Polidore suffered severe pain in his neck, back and left shoulder and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint. In addition, he lost earnings and his earning capacity; suffered physical impairment, physical pain, mental anguish and disfigurement; and incurred property damages, the complaint says.

Polidore blames Winter for causing the collision, saying he failed to keep a proper lookout and failed to grant immediate use of the intersection in obedience to a traffic control device.

In his complaint, Polidore is seeking an unspecified judgment, plus interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Jonathan C. Juhan of Beaumont will be representing him.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: D187-438.