Drunk driver blamed for killing two and causing severe injuries in another

A man claims he suffered from severe internal bleeding after an allegedly intoxicated driver struck the vehicle in which he was riding head on.

Bernardo Alfaro filed a lawsuit Aug. 5 in Jefferson County District Court against James G. Lea and Jeffrey Martinez.

In his complaint, Alfaro claims he and two other people were riding in a vehicle traveling north on Interstate 45 south of Huntsville on April 3, 2012. Suddenly, their vehicle was struck by a Jeep Cherokee, which was traveling south in the northbound lane with no lights on, according to the complaint.

“When the accident occurred Martinez and Lea were both well beyond the blood alcohol legal limit,” the suit states. “Martinez and Lea have conflicting recollections as to who was driving the Jeep Cherokee when the accident occurred.”

During the collision, Alfaro’s two fellow passengers were killed while he sustained severe internal bleeding and incurred medical costs, the complaint says. He also claims he suffered physical incapacity, physical pain, physical impairment and physical disfigurement and lost his earning capacity.

Martinez and Lea negligently failed to yield the right-of-way, failed to maintain control of his vehicle, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, drove in a negligent and unsafe manner, drove while intoxicated and drove on the wrong side of the street, according to the complaint.

In his complaint, Alfaro seeks compensatory and exemplary damages, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.

John Holman Barr and M. Forest Nelson of Burt Barr & Associates LLP in Dallas will be representing him.

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

Case No. D194-599