Five plaintiffs sue over Beaumont auto collision

After sustaining various injuries, including cervical neck pain and back pain during a collision, five people filed suit against the driver who they claim bears responsibility for causing the accident.

Elizabeth Mullins and Debbie Mills filed a lawsuit individually and on behalf of their three minor children in Jefferson County District Court against Chau Thoung and Hue Tri Nguyen.

Mullins and Mills claim Mullins was driving a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire on Washington Boulevard in Beaumont on Aug. 5, 2009, when she stopped at the boulevard's intersection with 11th Street for a red light. Suddenly, Nguyen, who drove a 1997 Ford pick-up west on the same road, failed to control his speed and struck the Pontiac, according to the complaint.

At the time of the collision, plaintiffs Dameon Mullins -- Elizabeth Mullins' minor son --and Debbie Sorto and Delton Marpoe -- Debbie Mills' minor children -- rode in the vehicle.

Because of the collision, Elizabeth Mullins experienced cervical neck pain, which caused her headaches, and lumbar back pain, the suit states. Sorto experienced cervical neck, left knee, leg and back pain while Marpoe experieced cervical neck pain, thoracic back pain and shoulder pain, the complaint says.

All of the plaintiffs claim they incurred medical costs and experienced physical pain, suffering and mental anguish.

Mullins and Mills blame Nguyen for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to avoid the collision and failed to drive as a reasonable driver would have.

They also name Truong as a defendant, blaming him for negligent entrustment.

In their complaint, Mullins and Mills seek a judgment in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest at the highest legal rate, actual damages and other relief the court deems just.

David J. LaRue and Ryan Douglas White of Loncar and Associates in Beaumont will be representing them.

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

Case No. A189-267