Rental car blamed for multi-car collision

A Jefferson County man claims he sustained injuries to his knees, legs, left arm, head and body after a driver failed to stop at a stop sign, causing a multi-car collision.

Delbert Cook filed a lawsuit Nov. 8 in Jefferson County District Court against Henri Arbey, National Car Rental and Antonio Mitchell.

Cook claims he drove a 1999 Chevrolet C1500 west on Jimmy Johnson Boulevard in Port Arthur on Nov. 19, 2008, when Arbey, who drove a 2009 Dodge Caravan owned by National Car Rental south on Anchor Drive, failed to stop at a stop sign and pulled into Cook's path. Subsequently, Cook collided with Arbey, according to the complaint.

After the initial collision, Mitchell, who drove a 2007 Dodge Charger behind Cook, failed to stop and struck Cook's vehicle, the suit states.

Because of the injuries he sustained during the collision, Cook experienced extreme physical pain, suffering and mental anguish and sustained a physical impairment, the complaint says. In addition, because of the collision, Cook claims he suffered physical disfigurement and lost wages.

He blames Arbey for causing the collision, saying Arbey negligently failed to stop at the stop sign, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to turn his vehicle to the right or left and failed to control his speed.

Cooks also names Mitchell as a defendant, saying he also bears some responsibility for the collision because of his failure to keep a proper lookout, his failure to timely apply his brakes, his failure to turn to his vehicle to avoid the collision and his failure to control his speed.

National Car Rental should never have lent its vehicle to Arbey -- a reckless driver, according to the complaint.

In his complaint, Cook seeks actual damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Gerald W. Eddins of Eddins and Bennett Law Firm in Beaumont will be representing Cook.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. A188-759