Driver failed to stop at scene of collision, suit claims

A Jefferson County man has filed suit against the driver who he claims failed to obey a stop sign and collided with his vehicle.

Jose Flores claims he was driving his Toyota Tacoma west in the 3800 block of Seventh Street in Port Arthur on Aug. 3, 2013. At the same time, defendant Cristian Santillan was driving a GMC Envoy north in the 600 block of 10^th Avenue, according to the complaint filed Aug. 28 in Jefferson County District Court. 

“As Santillan approached the intersection, he disregarded a stop sign and collided with plaintiff’s vehicle,” the suit states. “The collision was so violent that it caused plaintiff’s vehicle to leave the roadway, hit a stop sign, and run into a fence on the north side of Seventh Street.”

Immediately following the collision, instead of stopping to help, Santillan and his passenger, defendant Yesica Ochoa, fled the scene, the complaint says. Even after police officers pulled over Santillan’s vehicle, he and Ochoa ran from the car, Flores claims.

Because of the collision, Flores incurred medical costs; experienced mental anguish, physical pain and suffering; and lost wages and his earning capacity, according to the complaint. He also suffered physical impairment, the suit states.

Flores alleges negligence against Santillan, saying he failed to stop and render aid, to yield the right-of-way, to keep a proper lookout, to control his speed, to timely apply his brakes and to obey a stop sign, the complaint says.

In addition to Santillan, Flores names Yesica Ochoa and Maricela Ochoa as defendants because they negligently entrusted their vehicle to Santillan, which he was driving at the time of the collision.

In his complaint, Flores is seeking unspecified damages, plus punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, court costs and other relief the court deems just.

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

Case No.  A194-678