Alleged drunk driver non-suited in auto wreck case

An alleged drunk driver and his employer have been non-suited in litigation brought by Rose City resident Veronica Hammonds

In her suit, filed Feb. 24 in Jefferson County District Court, Hammonds says she was driving on College Street in Beaumont on March 28, 2008, when defendant Ben Walhood, who was driving a vehicle for defendant C&L Ice, failed to yield to oncoming traffic and slammed into her.

Hammonds claimed Walhood was allegedly driving intoxicated when he turned his vehicle into hers.

On Nov. 17, Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, signed an order granting Hammonds' motion for non-suit, ordering that both defendants be dismissed without prejudice, court records show.

Hammonds filed the motion on Nov. 10, asserting that she and the "defendants have successfully resolved" the matter.

According to the complaint, Walhood negligently failed to maintain control of his vehicle, attempted to turn left across the southbound lanes of traffic when it was not safe to do so, drove while intoxicated and caused serious bodily injury to Hammonds, the complaint says.

Hammonds was suing for her past and future mental anguish, impairment, disfigurement, lost wages and medical expenses.

Jonathan C. Juhan of Beaumont represented her.

Case No. A186-120