A Houston man has filed a lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages following a severe traffic collision involving an 18-wheeler. Carlos Quintanilla Jr. lodged the complaint against Jason Brown, C R Transport, Inc., and Lyondell Chemical Company in Harris County District Court on September 3, 2024.
According to the petition, the incident occurred on April 15, 2024, when Quintanilla was driving on Sheldon Road in Houston. He alleges that Jason Brown, operating an 18-wheeler owned by C R Transport and carrying a load for Lyondell Chemical Company, began swerving into his lane before eventually ramming into his vehicle. The collision resulted in significant injuries to Quintanilla's finger, neck, and back.
Quintanilla's complaint accuses Brown of negligence for failing to operate the vehicle safely and adhere to traffic laws. Specific allegations include failing to maintain the truck within a single lane, not keeping a proper lookout, and engaging in aggressive driving behaviors. "Defendant Brown breached this duty by various acts and omissions," states the petition.
The lawsuit also targets C R Transport under the legal theory of respondeat superior, asserting that Brown was acting within the scope of his employment at the time of the accident. Additionally, it accuses C R Transport of negligent hiring and retention practices. "CR Transport was negligent in hiring an incompetent, unfit, and/or reckless driver," reads the complaint.
Lyondell Chemical Company is similarly accused of negligent hiring and retention for employing C R Transport as its motor carrier despite alleged incompetence. The petition claims that Lyondell failed to ensure their contractor could perform tasks without posing substantial risks to others.
Quintanilla seeks compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, bodily impairment and disability, lost wages and earning capacity, disfigurement and scarring. He also demands punitive/exemplary damages due to what he describes as gross negligence on part of all defendants involved.
Representing Quintanilla are attorneys Muhammad S. Aziz from Abraham Watkins Nichols Agosto Aziz & Stogner law firm along with Shane R. Pellerin from Shane Pellerin Law Firm P.C. The case has been assigned Case ID 2024-58616 in Harris County District Court with Judge Wanda Chambers presiding.