GALVESTON - Friendswood local Melissa Huynh has filed suit against League City resident Cheryll Martinez in response to a two-vehicle accident on the Gulf Freeway last year.
An unsafe lane change made by Martinez caused the collision with Huynh on April 22, 2011, according to the lawsuit filed March 20 in Galveston County District Court.
Court papers show the plaintiff was traveling in the far left lane of the northern part of the Gulf Freeway while the defendant drove in the lane to the right.
"Suddenly and without warning, Ms. Martinez's vehicle violently swerved into Ms. Huynh's lane of travel forcing Ms. Huynh's vehicle to spin out of control and collide twice with the concrete median barrier separating the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 45," the original petition states.
"Ms. Huynh's vehicle came to rest on top of the concrete median barrier."
The suit claims Martinez fled the scene of the accident and had to be tracked down by another motorist and brought back to the area. Authorities issued her a citation.
Aside from the illegal lane change, the defendant is faulted for failing to control the speed of her vehicle, failing to maintain a proper lookout, driving at an excessive rate of speed and failing to turn the vehicle to avoid the subject collision.
Consequently, Huynh seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Attorney Jack F. Burleigh of Houston is representing the plaintiff.
Galveston County 212th District Court Judge Susan Criss is presiding over the case.
Case No. 12-cv-509