The city of Beaumont is suing a wrecker service over damage sustained to one of its buses in a 2013 automobile collision.
The city, along with the Beaumont Transit Company, filed the suit against Payne’s Wrecker Service, doing business as Payne & Sons, and Russell Huff on July 14 in Jefferson County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, on July 23, 2013, the city’s bus was headed north on Orleans Street when the defendant’s wrecker, which was driven by Huff, ran a red light and collided with the bus at the intersection at College Street.
The suit accuses Huff of driving in a negligent and reckless manner, and also faults Payne & Sons with negligent hiring and supervision.
The city is seeking more than $250,000 in damages, damages that include cost of repair and loss in market value.
Beaumont attorney Karen Spivey of Pate & Spivey represents the city.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. D-197337