GALVESTON - Dickinson locals Javier Barreto and Jirssy Sorribes claim Dane Joseph Williams ran over their teenage son three months ago, recent court papers say.
A lawsuit filed Nov. 14 in Galveston County District Court claims Williams, also a Dickinson resident, struck the 14-year-old boy with his vehicle and rendered him unconscious Aug. 23.
The alleged victim was attending a spaghetti dinner social at the time of the incident in question. According to the suit, several of the children in attendance were socializing in the backyard when the defendant appeared and "threw water balloons at the crowd unprovoked."
Shortly afterwards, the kids ran into the street and formed a line to keep the vehicle from driving past again after it made its way around the cul-de-sac.
The original petition further states the plaintiffs' son joined the blockade but was reportedly left in the respondent's immediate path after the children dispersed upon hearing the sound of his engine.
"Williams failed to control his vehicle and hit the younger Barreto, causing him to hit his head on the pavement and lose consciousness," the suit says.
It adds the subject event reportedly left the teen with possible brain damage as his skull was supposedly fractured.
His parents argue his apparent injuries prevent him from participating in the school band and other extracurricular activities.
Williams is faulted for:
- Failing to maintain control of a motor vehicle;
- Failing to timely apply the brakes;
- Failing to maintain a proper lookout; and
- Failing to turn the vehicle to avoid the collision.
Consequently, the plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
They are represented by attorney Jason A. Gibson with The Gibson Law Firm in Houston.
Galveston County 212th District Court Judge Susan Criss is presiding over the case.
Case No. 12-CV-2789