Wreck on I-10 leads to lawsuit

Two Harris County residents claim they sustained injuries after an allegedly intoxicated driver collided with the vehicle in which they were traveling.

Carloyn H. Newhouse and Sabrina W. Tillis filed a lawsuit June 28 in Jefferson County District Court against Donald R. Chilo.

In their complaint, Newhouse and Tillis allege Newhouse drove a vehicle west on Interstate 10 in the center lane in Orange County on April 4, 2010, when Chilo, who drove while intoxicated in the same direction, failed to control his speed and collided with their vehicle. At the time, Tillis rode as a passenger in the vehicle.

Because of the collision, Newhouse and Tillis experienced physical pain, mental anguish, physical disfigurement and physical impairment and incurred medical costs, the suit states. In addition, they lost their earning capacities, lost household services and lost wages, the complaint says.

Newhouse and Tillis blame Chilo for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, drove too fast, failed to turn in an attempt to avoid a collision and failed to keep a clear distance between his vehicle and theirs. Chilo also negligently failed to control his speed and drove while intoxicated, according to the complaint.

In their complaint, Newhouse and Tillis seek damages within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus exemplary damages, pre-judgment interest at the maximum rate allowed by law, post-judgment interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.

James M. Lassiter and Timothy M. McHale of Lassiter Law Firm in Houston will be representing them.

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

Case No. A190-417