Men file suit against driver in multi-car crash

A Jefferson County man and a Hardin County man claim they were permanently impaired after a driver lost control of his vehicle and caused a multi-car collision.

Don R. Castolenia Jr. and Perry W. Malone Jr. filed a lawsuit Aug. 23 in Jefferson County District Court against Brent Crow.

The plaintiffs claim Malone drove south on Eastex Freeway on Sept. 8, 2008, with Castolenia riding as a passenger in his vehicle.

"As Mr. Malone entered the 3900 block of the Eastex Freeway a vehicle driven by Defendant, Brent Crow, lost control and struck a vehicle driven by Carolyn Russell," the suit states. "The Defendant, Brent Crow, then bounced off said vehicle and struck the vehicle the two Plaintiffs were occupying at the time of the incident in question."

In addition to their physical impairment, the plaintiffs experienced scarring and lost wages because of the accident, according to the complaint. They also experienced physical pain and mental anguish and incurred medical costs, the complaint says.

The plaintiffs blame Crow for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a lookout, drove too fast, failed to turn to avoid a collision, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to keep proper control of his vehicle and failed to keep a proper lookout.

In their complaint, the plaintiffs seek a judgment in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limit of Jefferson County District Court and exemplary damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Stephen N. Williams of The Williams Firm in Beaumont will be representing them.

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

Jefferson County District Court case number: B187-751.