Century Surety swaps defendants in suit over damaged gas pump

In August, Century Surety Co. sued Nederland resident Katina Johnson for backing into a gas pump and causing more than $30,000 in damages.

A month later, Century filed a motion to change style of case, stating that it failed to name the proper defendant.

In its original petition, Century alleges that on Aug. 27, 2009, Johnson backed her car into a gas pump at Superstop No. 5 in Port Arthur, costing Century, the insurer of the gas station, $30,209.86 to remedy the damage.

The motion to change style, filed Oct. 3, states that after Johnson was served, she contacted the insurance provider's counsel to inform them she was not involved in the incident.

On Oct. 6 Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, granted the motion, effectively swapping Johnson with new defendant Derrick Stoever, court papers say.

Century is for actual damages and all court costs.

Dallas attorney Laura Schmidt of Downs Stanford represents the company.

Case No. D190-662