Accused red-light runner settles before trial

A Beaumont woman has settled with the driver who she claims collided with her when the driver ran a red light.

The case of Sandra Collier vs. James Sexton et al was slated to go to trial on Monday, Nov. 26, in Judge Donald Floyd’s 172nd District Court.

However, a court official told the Southeast Texas Record the case settled beforehand.

In her suit, Sandra Collier claims she was riding in a vehicle defendant Thomas Cantu was driving at the intersection of Dowlen Road and Delaware Avenue in Beaumont on Oct. 20, 2010, when defendant Jane Ellen Sexton, who was driving east on Dowlen Road, ignored a red light and struck Cantu’s vehicle.

According to the complaint filed Dec. 9, 2010, in Jefferson County District Court, Collier sustained serious injuries to her neck and back and incurred medical costs,

In addition, she lost wages and her earning capacity and experienced mental anguish, physical pain, suffering, disability and physical impairment, the suit states.

Sexton negligently caused the collision because she failed to stop at a red light, failed to yield the right-of-way and drove too fast, the complaint says.

Cantu was also named as a defendant, alleging he negligently failed to yield the right-of-way when turning left.

At the time of the collision, Collier’s 2007 Chrysler 300 was insured by defendant Old American Insurance Co. After the accident occurred, Collier called Old American to make a claim for the cost of her vehicle’s property damage, according to the complaint. However, the insurance company has denied her claim.

In her suit, Collier alleges Old American violated the Texas Insurance Code, breached its contract, failed to promptly pay her claim and breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing.

Clay Dugas of Clay Dugas and Associates in Beaumont represents her.

Case No. E188-938