Relatives of four women killed when their Nissan Altima was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler in Texas on Nov. 5 say the crash was preventable and have filed a lawsuit naming the truck driver and three companies. The complaint alleges the semi was speeding and that the driver was distracted, and it requests access to the driver’s phone and a temporary restraining order to preserve evidence. The families seek damages for emotional and financial losses and have demanded a jury trial. H-E-B says the driver was a third-party vendor and is cooperating with investigators.
“Entirely Preventable”: Families Sue After Texas Crash Kills Four Young Women
KHOU 11/YouTubeThe four women killed in the Texas car crash on Nov. 5.
Relatives of four women who died after their car was struck from behind by an 18-wheeler in Texas on Nov. 5 say the crash was preventable and have filed a civil lawsuit naming the truck driver and three companies.
The victims—Myunique Johnson, 20; Lakeisha Brown, 18; Breanna Brantley, 31; and Taylor White, 28—were pronounced dead at the scene after the Nissan Altima they were traveling in was struck while moving slowly because of a flat tire. The truck driver, identified in the complaint as Daniel Villarreal Guadalupe, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Allegations and Legal Action
The families have sued Villarreal and three companies—H-E-B, Parkway Transit, Inc., and Scrappy Trucking LLC—seeking compensatory and exemplary damages for mental anguish, loss of earning capacity and financial support, loss of companionship and inheritance, funeral expenses and other losses, according to the complaint obtained by PEOPLE. The plaintiffs are asking for a jury trial.
In court filings, relatives requested a temporary restraining order to prevent defendants from destroying or altering critical evidence, including the vehicles involved, witness statements and any drug and alcohol test results. The complaint also seeks access to Villarreal’s phone; the families say they believe the driver was distracted by the device at the time of the collision and "failed to control his speed." The lawsuit contends the semi was speeding when it struck the Altima.
"What occurred that day was an entirely preventable tragedy," attorney Nicholas M. Wills told PEOPLE. "Four young girls lost their lives, and their families are now left grieving their loss. We are committed to uncovering the truth of why this happened and holding all responsible parties fully accountable."
Responses
H-E-B told News 4 San Antonio that the truck driver was a third-party vendor, not an H-E-B employee, and said the company and the contractor are cooperating with investigators. Representatives for Villarreal, Parkway Transit, Inc. and Scrappy Trucking LLC did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
The families’ lawsuit focuses on allegations of speeding and driver distraction and seeks preservation of evidence and accountability for everyone whose conduct may have contributed to the crash that claimed four lives.
Source: PEOPLE (reporting compiled from KHOU 11 and News 4 San Antonio).
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