Crash with milk truck subject of suit

A Jefferson County woman and her husband have filed suit against the driver who they claim rear-ended their vehicle as they sat at a traffic light.

Lillie Haynes claims she was driving south on Interstate Highway 10 in Beaumont when she stopped at a traffic light at the highway's intersection with College Street on Oct. 31, 2008.

Suddenly, defendant Thomas W. Monasco, who was driving a truck for defendant Milk Products, doing business as Borden Dairy, failed to control his speed and struck the rear of Haynes' vehicle, pushing her into the vehicle in front of her, according to the complaint filed Aug. 17 in Jefferson County District Court.

Because of the accident, Lillie Haynes claims she incurred medical costs; experienced physical pain, suffering, impairment and mental anguish; and lost her earnings, her earning capacity and her consortium, the suit states.

The accident has also impaired Lillie and her husband's, Warren Haynes', marital relationship, the complaint says.

The Hayneses blame Monasco for failing to keep a proper lookout, for failing to properly apply his brakes, for failing to drive in a prudent manner, for driving in a reckless and inattentive manner, for driving in an impaired condition, for failing to keep his vehicle under control, for driving too fast and for driving while under the influence of an unknown drug.

The Jefferson County couple alleges negligent entrustment against Borden Dairy.

In their complaint, the plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified judgment and punitive damages, plus costs, pre-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

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

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

Jefferson County District Court case number: D187-604.