GALVESTON - After she was allegedly rear-ended at a Galveston intersection by a drunk driver last year, La Porte resident Tricia D. Hawthorne pursues legal action.
A lawsuit filed Feb. 18 in Galveston County District Court attributes the blame for the two-vehicle wreck the night of Nov. 10, 2012, to Houston resident Harlan D. Westbrook.
The original petition shows both parties were traveling on Broadway near 25th Street prior to the subject event.
Hawthorne, who was driving a 2001 Mitsubishi Montero, says Westbrook sped a 2008 Hyundai into the back of her vehicle and caused the collision.
She recalls going over to Westbrook and discovering the smell of alcohol wafting from him and the interior of the Hyundai, adding the motorist fled the scene without rendering assistance to her.
According to the original petition, the plaintiff sustained "serious" personal bodily injuries as a result of the accident.
Westbrook is additionally faulted for failing to yield the right of way and failing to timely apply his brakes.
Houston resident Melissa Masik is a co-defendant because the aforementioned Hyundai belonged to her.
Consequently, Hawthorne seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Attorney Gary E. Patterson with Gary E. Patterson P.C. in Houston is representing the plaintiff, and Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor is presiding over the case.
Case No. 13-CV-243
La Porte woman sues alleged drunk driver over Galveston wreck
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