Man says driver tried to speed away from accident

A man says he was forced to chase a driver who allegedly tried to flee a collision caused after the driver ran the red light.

Jimmy L. Simmons filed a lawsuit Sept. 15 in Jefferson County District Court against Nhung Nguyen and Michael Tran.

In his complaint, Simmons alleges he was driving through a green light at the intersection of Avenue A and Washington Boulevard in Beaumont on Sept. 16, 2012, when Tran, who was driving a black Honda Accord owned by Nguyen, ran a red light and struck Simmons' vehicle.

"Defendant, Tran fled the scene before the police could arrive, and plaintiff Simmons had to chase down him to stop and get his information," the suit states.

Due to the collision, Simmons suffered physical pain and mental anguish, endured physical impairment and incurred medical costs of at least $11,654, the complaint says.

Simmons accuses Tran of negligence, alleging he failed to control his vehicle's speed, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to swerve to avoid a collision and failed to drive in a safe manner.

In his complaint, Simmons seeks a judgment in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limits of the court of no more than $2 million, plus pre- and post-judgment interest at the maximum legal rate, attorney fees and other relief the court deems just.

Attorney Bradford N. Oesch, of Houston, will represent Simmons.

Jefferson County District Court case number: E198-115