Domino's sued after delivery driver involved in fatal head-on crash

An August 2012 fatal car crash involving a pizza delivery driver has lead to a lawsuit against Domino's. 

Raghurami B. Reddy, as a guardian of the person and estate of Devavaram Christopher and the estate of Ruth Christopher, deceased, filed suit against Domino’s IP Holder, individually and doing business as Dominos Pizza, and MAC Pizza Management on Sept. 7, 2012, in Jefferson County District Court. The defendant removed the case to the Eastern District of Texas, Beaumont Division.

The wreck occurred on Aug. 11, 2012, as Devavaram Christopher and his wife Ruth Christopher were traveling on S. Major Drive in Beaumont when a vehicle driven by Joshua Balka crossed the center line and struck the Christophers’ vehicle head-on.

As a result of the collision, Ruth suffered fatal injuries and Devavaram remains hospitalized with no positive cognitive function, the suit claims.

Balka was acting in the course and scope of his employment with the defendant at the time of the collision.

The defendants are accused of negligent entrustment, negligent hiring, negligent supervision, negligent retention, and failure to implement sound and safe policies and procedures for its employees.

The plaintiff is seeking an award of damages for physical pain and mental anguish, torment and suffering, medical expenses, funeral and burial expenses, loss of society and companionship, pecuniary loss, loss of inheritance, loss or impairment of earnings or earning capacity, physical impairment, mental impairment, physical disfigurement, punitive damages, interest and court costs.

Reddy is represented by Paul F. Ferguson Jr. and Larry C. Hunter of Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont.

U.S. District Judge Ron Clark is assigned to the case.

Case No. 1:13-cv-00492