A lawsuit brought over a fatal collision that was recently called up for trial ended in a settlement while jurors were still deadlocked in deliberations.
Three years ago, Katie Lauren Hubbard Curtis filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County claiming she and her husband, Steven Scott Curtis, were traveling in the 500 block of Interstate Highway 10 E. on Oct. 20, 2011, when they were forced to come to a sudden stop due to a previous crash.
According to the complaint, Defendant Leo N. Garica failed to control his speed and rear-ended the vehicle in which the Curtises rode.
Conestoga-Rovers and Associates, Garcia's employer at the time, was also named as a defendant.
The case went to trial on Oct. 20 and the jury began deliberations on Oct. 26.
According to a courthouse official, after several hours of deliberations the jury was still deadlocked. Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, was about to hand down a dynamite charge when the parties announced that they had reached a settlement.
Because of the collision, Steven Scott Curtis sustained fatal injuries while Katie Curtis and the couple’s child, Beckham Scott Curtis, were hospitalized, the suit states.
The plaintiffs alleged gross negligence and were seeking punitive damages.
Jane S. Leger of Clay Dugas & Associates in Beaumont represents the plaintiffs.
Conestoga is represented by Matthew Parish, attorney for the Houston law firm Taunton, Snyder & Slade.
Case No. D194-029