Man sues after equipment falls off tractor-trailer, strikes vehicle

A Vidor resident has filed a lawsuit after a large piece of industrial equipment fell off of a tractor-trailer and struck his vehicle, causing a wreck.

Donald Strother filed suit against Sheldon Romero and Sam Broussard Trucking Co. Inc. Sept. 10 in Orange County District Court. The defendant removed the case to the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division on Oct. 29.

The incident occurred on Oct. 29, 2008, as Strother was traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 alongside defendant Sheldon Romero. According to the complaint, Romero lost control of his truck and the load Romero was transporting had not been properly secured allowing a large industrial piece of equipment and industrial pipe to roll off the trailer and crash into Strother's vehicle. Strother states he lost control of his vehicle and both vehicles crashed into each other.

Strother claims he sustained injuries to his back, left shoulder and left elbow.

Romero is accused of failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to avoid the incident in question, failing to maintain the vehicle, failing to properly secure his load and failing to operate the vehicle as a reasonable and prudent person would have done under the same or similar circumstances.

Strother is seeking damages for medical expenses, physical pain, suffering, mental anguish, court costs and interest.

Strother is represented by David J. LaRue of Loncar & Associates in Beaumont. Jury trial is requested.

U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone is assigned to the case.

Case No. 1:10-cv-00689