Suit says drunk driver caused crippling injuries

A Hardin County man claims he sustained crippling injuries after an allegedly intoxicated driver struck his vehicle.

Blake Allen Hinson filed a lawsuit Aug. 15 in Jefferson County District Court against Roosevelt T. Alvarez-Cantu, Maria E. Alvarez and Rodolfo Alvarez.

In his complaint, Hinson claims he was driving north on U.S. 69 in Jefferson County on Feb. 6, 2011, when Alvarez-Cantu, who was driving south on the same road, entered his lane and struck his vehicle.

Because of the collision, Hinson suffered physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, disfigurement and crippling injuries and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint. He also lost earnings and incurred property damages, the suit states.

He blames Alvarez-Cantu for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to maintain control of his vehicle, drove too fast, failed to apply the brakes of his vehicle, drove south in the northbound lanes of U.S. 69, failed to drive on only the right half of the road, drove while intoxicated and failed to turn in an attempt to avoid a collision, among other negligent acts, the complaint says.

Hinson names the Alvarezes as defendants, saying they should never have loaned their vehicle to Alvarez-Cantu, and should have known he was a reckless and incompetent driver.

In his complaint, Hinson seeks a judgment in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

B. Adam Terrell of Weller, Green, Toups and Terrell in Beaumont will be representing him.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. D192-871