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Father Sues Golf Cart Manufacturer Over Son's Tragic Death Due to Alleged Design Flaws

SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Saturday, November 23, 2024

Father Sues Golf Cart Manufacturer Over Son's Tragic Death Due to Alleged Design Flaws

State Court
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Juan Patino has filed a wrongful death lawsuit following the tragic passing of his son, Dustin Patino. The complaint was lodged on October 22, 2024, in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, against several defendants including Trojan EV, LLC, Golf Carts of Cypress, LLC, Bentwood C.C., L.L.C., Kolton Sonnenberg, and Emilie Kreiger.

The lawsuit stems from an incident that occurred on June 29, 2024. According to the complaint filed by Juan Patino, his son Dustin was fatally injured after being ejected from a golf cart manufactured by Trojan EV and sold by Golf Carts of Cypress. The incident took place after a gathering at Bentwood Country Club where alcohol was allegedly served to Emilie Kreiger despite her apparent intoxication. Kreiger later drove the golf cart with Dustin seated in the rear-facing back seat. As she attempted to turn into a driveway, the armrest/hip restraint reportedly failed, causing Dustin to be thrown from the vehicle and suffer fatal head injuries.

Patino accuses Trojan EV and Golf Carts of Cypress of negligence and strict liability for design defects in the golf cart that made it unreasonably dangerous. He claims that there were safer alternative designs available that could have prevented the accident. Furthermore, he alleges breaches of implied warranties regarding the fitness and merchantability of the product. Against Bentwood Country Club, Patino invokes the Texas Dram Shop Act for serving alcohol to an obviously intoxicated Kreiger. He also charges Kreiger with negligence for driving while intoxicated and failing to maintain control of the vehicle.

The plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $1 million for loss of consortium, mental anguish, pecuniary losses, and other related damages under the Texas Wrongful Death Act. Additionally, he requests pre-judgment interest and exemplary damages.

Representing Juan Patino are attorneys Joseph Barrientos and Catherine T. Hilliard from Hilliard Law in Corpus Christi and Rick DeHoyos from The Law Offices of Rick DeHoyos in San Angelo. The case is presided over by Judge Wanda Chambers under Case ID 2024-73549.

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