Petition amended, defendant added in suit against intoxicated driver

A Jefferson County resident has amended his petition against the allegedly intoxicated driver who ran a stop sign and collided with his vehicle.

According to the complaint filed May 15 in Jefferson County District Court, Stanton Smith claims he was driving in the 800 block of Savannah Avenue in Port Arthur on April 19 when defendant Marcus Cole ran a stop sign and collided with his vehicle.

At the scene of the collision, Cole was issued a citation for driving while intoxicated.

On June 24 Smith amended his petition and added Alexandre Anderson as a defendant, court records show.

The amended petition faults Anderson with negligent entrustment of her vehicle to Cole.

Because of the collision, Smith suffered physical pain and mental anguish, endured physical impairment, incurred medical costs and sustained very painful and debilitating injuries, the suit states. He also lost wages and his earning capacity, the complaint says.

Smith blames Cole for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to bring his vehicle to a stop before it collided with Cole’s, failed to turn to the left or right to avoid a collision, drove too fast, drove inattentively, drove in a reckless manner, failed to obey traffic signals and drove while intoxicated.

Smith is seeking actual, compensatory and exemplary damages, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, attorneys’ fees and other relief the court deems just.

Brian Beckcom of Vujasinovic & Beckcom in Houston represents him.

The case is assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court.

Case No. B194-342