Driver, 5 passengers file suit over I-10 wreck

Six Beaumont residents have filed suit against the driver who they claim struck their vehicle while attempting to make a left-hand turn.

Alice Broughton claims she was driving the other five plaintiffs � Ernetreia Mouton, Catrina Broughton, Klara Hightower, Eddie Garrett and Catrenia Adams � west on the inside lane of Interstate Highway 10E Service Road on March 12, 2010, when defendant Edisson Izurieta, who was driving east, tried to make a left-turn. Instead, Izurieta struck Alice Broughton's vehicle, according to the complaint filed June 23 in Jefferson County District Court.

Because of the accident, Alice Broughton experienced lumbar sprain, cervical neck sprain, severe headaches and a closed head injury, the suit states. Mouton suffered lumbar sprain, cervical sprain, chest pain, right shoulder sprain and closed head injuries while Catrina Broughton and Hightower suffered lumbar sprain and cervical sprains, the complaint says.

In addition, Adams suffered lumbar back sprain, cervical neck sprain, severe headaches, right shoulder sprain, closed head injury and contusions to her right hand while Garrett sustained lumbar back sprain and cervical neck sprain, they claim.

The plaintiffs also incurred medical costs and experienced physical pain, suffering and mental anguish, according to the complaint.

Izureita negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to avoid the incident in question, failed to maintain his vehicle, failed to turn when it was safe to do so and failed to drive as a reasonable person would have under similar conditions, the suit states.

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

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

The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.

Case No. E190-398