Zehl & Associates Represents Three Siblings in Lawsuit Over Deadly Test Drive Collision That Killed Their Mother
2024年7月16日 - 12:42AM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
Driver, car salesman and auto dealership named
as defendants in fatal Odessa accident
Zehl & Associates has filed a wrongful death suit on behalf
of three siblings in a June 7 two-vehicle accident in Odessa in
which the siblings’ mother, Quma Martinez Carrillo, 47, was
killed.
According to the filing and police reports, one of the
defendants, Benjamin Meece, 37, was test-driving a 2021 Dodge
Challenger alongside car salesman Kenneth Salas in the passenger
seat. Salas was working on behalf of All American Chrysler Dodge
Jeep Ram of Odessa, which is listed as a defendant along with Meece
and Salas.
Mr. Meece was driving eastbound in the 4800 block of East
University Drive in Odessa when the Challenger and Ms. Carrillo’s
Honda Accord crashed at the intersection of Oakwood Drive, ejecting
her from the vehicle. Surveillance cameras and black box data from
the car indicate that the Challenger reached speeds up to 124
mph.
Compounding the impact of this tragedy, according to the
lawsuit, Ms. Carrillo’s daughter Natasha drove past the scene to
get coffee right after the accident and saw her mother’s body on
the street.
“Benjamin Meece had no business being allowed behind the wheel
in the first place. On top of that, his recklessness and negligence
were enabled by a man trying to make a sale,” said Zehl &
Associates founding partner Ryan Zehl. “Nothing will bring Quma
back to her family, but we want to make sure that Mr. Meece, Mr.
Salas and the dealership are held accountable.”
Officers say Meece tried to flee the scene on foot after the
crash. He was arrested and charged with four felony charges,
including manslaughter and aggravated assault. The lawsuit notes
that Meece has an extensive arrest record, including charges of
criminal trespass, child endangerment, vehicle theft, breaking and
entering, theft, forgery and more.
The plaintiffs – Natasha Hitchcock, Alexis Urias, and Ms.
Carrillo’s minor son, identified as G.C. in the filing – are
seeking to recover damages including court costs, funeral costs,
loss of income, loss of companionship and mental anguish.
The case is Natasha Hitchcock, et al. v. Lithia CJDO, Inc.,
Benjamin Meece, and Kenneth Salas in the 70th District Court of
Ector County, Texas. The case number is A24070751CV.
About Zehl & Associates
Zehl & Associates is an undefeated Houston-based personal
injury law firm that represents accident victims across Texas,
Louisiana and the United States, earning a reputation for
recovering record-breaking verdicts and settlements for its
clients. The firm’s practice areas include truck and 18-wheeler
accidents, oil field, maritime and refinery accidents, and
catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. The firm has
secured billions of dollars for its clients, obtaining
unprecedented victories against the largest trucking, oil and gas,
maritime and petrochemical companies in the world.
For more information, visit https://www.zehllaw.com/.
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Jason Cunningham jason@androvett.com 800-559-4534