Cardinal Drive wreck leads to lawsuit

A Houston woman has filed suit against the Jefferson County driver who she claims rear-ended her vehicle as she slowed for traffic.

Catherine G. Gahan claims she was driving east on W. Cardinal Drive on Sept. 3, 2008, when she stopped as traffic slowed in front of her.

"Without warning her vehicle was struck from behind by a car driven by the Defendant and pushed into the car in front of her," the suit filed Aug. 25 in Jefferson County District Court states.

Because of the collision, Gahan incurred medical costs; experienced physical pain, suffering, mental anguish and disfigurement; and lost wages and her earning capacity, according to the complaint.

Defendant Lilia Olua negligently failed to control her speed, drove too fast, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to maintain a safe distance between the vehicle she drove and Gahan's and failed to swerve to avoid a collision, the complaint says. In addition, she failed to bring her vehicle to a stop, failed to timely apply her brakes and drove carelessly, Gahan claims.

In her complaint, Gahan is seeking actual damages within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus pre- and post-judgment interest at the highest legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Ryan C. Scott of The Scott Law Firm in Beaumont will be representing her.

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

Jefferson County District Court case number: D187-816.