The parents of Aaliyah Carter, who died two years ago during a Christmas parade, have filed suit against the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce.
Albert and Stephanie Carter filed the suit Nov. 9 in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the Beaumont Enterprise, Aaliyah, 11, was killed during a Beaumont Christmas parade on Dec. 6, 2008. She had been aboard a float sponsored by the Beaumont I-Rule Dance Studio.
Before the parade, Aaliyah and the other girls on the float had been performing at the Beaumont Civic Center as part of the Very Merry Main Street Market.
Witnesses told Beaumont police that Aaliyah jumped off the 21-foot lowboy trailer float and had been running along beside it when she tripped over another young girl and fell.
The driver was unaware that she had fallen in the road and the wheels of the trailer ran over her, causing severe head trauma.
Aaliyah was taken to Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, where she was pronounced dead, the article states.
In their suit, the Carters assert the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce sponsored and managed the 2008 Christmas Holiday Festival & Parade and therefore is responsible for the events that transpired.
The suit fails to list a single specific act of negligence committed by the Beaumont Chamber.
The Carters are suing for exemplary damages, plus past and future mental anguish and loss of consortium.
They are represented by Houston attorney Michael Howard.
Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
The Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce is an accredited member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Southeast Texas Record is owned by the Institute for Legal Reform, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber. The Record has no direct affiliation with the Beaumont Chamber.
Case No. A188-767