Woman says driver crashed into her vehicle after being blinded by sunlight

A Jefferson County woman claims she sustained chest, back, leg and arm injuries after a driver who was blinded by sunlight ran a red light and crashed into her vehicle. 

Margaret Gauthia filed a lawsuit March 21 in Jefferson County District Court against Jeanette Howard.

In her complaint, Gauthia claims she drove north in the 3000 block of Avenue C near its intersection with the 1500 block of Washington Boulevard in Beaumont on Jan. 17.

At the same time, Howard drove west in the 1500 block of Washington Boulevard at about 4 p.m. when she encountered blinding sunlight, according to the complaint. In turn, Howard ran a red light and crashed into Gauthia’s vehicle, forcing it into a light pole, the suit states.

Because of the collision, Gauthia incurred medical costs; experienced mental anguish, physical pain, suffering, disability and physical impairment; and lost wages and her earning capacity, the complaint says.

Gauthia blames Howard for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to yield the right-of-way, failed to pay attention, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply her brakes and failed to stop at a red light.

In her complaint, Gauthia seeks an unspecified judgment, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

Clay Dugas and Malachi Daws of Beaumont will be representing her.

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

Case No. D194-177