Archive for May, 2012

Alleged drunk driver dies after crashing into HFD ambulance

A speeding driver who is suspected of driving drunk died in an accident early this morning when he crashed into the rear of a Houston Fire Department ambulance that was stopped on Kempwood Drive at Ryson Street to pick up a patient. Two paramedics were getting out of the ambulance when they heard screeching tires.  They then saw a young man driving a white-colored Nissan Altima approaching at an estimated speed of 80MPH, in a residential area no less.  One of the paramedics was able to react quickly enough to jump clear before the collision, but the other jumped back into the driver’s seat before the Altima struck the ambulance. That paramedic was transported to the hospital for observation. The driver of the Nissan Altima had to be rescued by Houston Fire Department because he was trapped inside his severely damaged car: he was rushed to Ben Taub hospital but did not survive. The driver has been identified as 21-year old David Lopez. Police said drunk driving was definitely a factor in causing the accident.  Channel 11’s story is here. Channel 2’s story is here. Channel 13’s story is here. FOX News’ story is here. The Houston Chronicle’s story is here.

A paramedic working on this ambulance was taken to the hospital for observation

This white Nissan Altima was thought to be traveling at 80MPH in a residential area before the crash

The attorneys at Smith & Hassler practice exclusively in personal injury and have handled many serious injury and wrongful death claims resulting from the negligence and gross negligence of drunk drivers. Smith & Hassler believes a drunk driver should bear the cost of their actions, not the injured victim.  You can contact Smith & Hassler any time day or night and ask to speak directly to an attorney about your drunk driving injury claim.

18-wheeler accident on I-10 near Taylor – big rig overturns

The Katy Freeway (I-10) outbound lanes were shut down today for an extended period after an accident near Taylor at around 1:45pm. According to Channel 2’s report, investigators say a car swerved to avoid a collision with another car: one of those cars ended up under an 18-wheeler that was stranded by the roadside. A second 18-wheeler driving down the freeway ended up overturning and blocking all but one lane of the freeway. Three people involved in the accident were injured and taken to hospital, but their specific condition wasn’t mentioned.

Casimiro Campos charged with felony murder for DWI accident

Casimiro Campos stands charged with his fifth Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offense in connection with a crash that killed a 46-year old woman. Campos, 64, was first charged with drunk driving in Harris County more than 20 years ago, the racked up another 3 additional DWI charges. On Thursday May 24th Campos was charged with felony murder in the death of Amelia Perez. The crash happened May 23rd on South Post Oak at around 2:00p.m.  Amelia Perez was riding in the front passenger seat of Campos’ SUV. While other drivers involved in the accident were moving their vehicles into a nearby parking lot, Campos’ Chevrolet Suburban accelerated and crashed into a convenience store building. Campos then drove along the side of the building before leaving the parking lot and hitting the concrete bank of a drainage ditch on Anderson Road. Ms. Perez was thrown through the windshield of the Suburban: she died later at Memorial Hermann Hospital. The Houston Chronicle’s article is hereChannel 13’s story is here.

Casimiro Campos

Insurance adjusters try to settle DWI accident injury claims quickly because insurance companies view these as higher value claims. Don’t allow yourself to be talked into a small, early settlement by an insurance company: call Smith & Hassler and ask to speak to an attorney for a no-charge consultation.

Strack Intermediate students mourn loss of Ana Sanchez to car accident

The end of the school year with the prospect of the summer vacation ahead would usually be a happy time for students at Strack Intermediate School, but today was spent mourning the loss of 14-year old Ana Sanchez who was hit by a car and killed on Monday. Ana and her friend Mauricio Mendez, who was riding a bike, were on Louetta near Kuykendahl in the Spring area when a black-colored Dodge Charger sedan hit the two teenagers. Ana, a seventh grader at Strack, was pronounced dead at the scene. Mauricio was rushed to hospital. Before classes started at Strack this morning, staff and students held a moments silence in Ana’s honor. Many students wore blue colored clothing, the color Ana was wearing when she died. Students and staff are signing a school yearbook to give to Ana’s family. Detectives investigating the crash say they believe the driver of the black Dodge, who has not been identified in press reports, was intoxicated at the time he hit the teenagers: results of a blood test have not yet been released and no charges have been filed against the driver. Harris County Sheriff’s deputies said they received several calls of someone driving erratically on Louetta prior to the crash. Ana Sanchez’ family said Ana’s organs were donated: hopefully another family will gain some hope from this tragedy. Channel 2’s story is here.

14-year old Ana Sanchez was killed Monday when she was struck by a Dodge Charger on Louetta

Boat tire crashes through woman’s windshield on Highway 146

A woman driving in Baytown was injured Memorial Day Monday when a tire and wheel came loose from a boat trailer and bounced across the Highway 146 median into oncoming traffic. Channel 11’s story says the woman in the red-colored Nissan sedan was not seriously injured but was taken to hospital because she was so shaken by the accident. It appears much of the damage was caused to the passenger side, where nobody was sitting. Smith & Hassler has practiced personal injury law in Houston for over 23-years and offers potential clients a free consultation and case review.

14 year old girl struck and killed on Louetta

Channel 13 is reporting that a 14-year old girl is dead and a young man injured after they were struck by a black Dodge traveling on Louetta. The accident happened today around 2:30pm at Louetta and Kuykendahl in northwest Harris County. According to investigators the young man was riding his bicycle eastbound on Louetta and the young girl was walking next to him in the grass when they were struck. The14-year old girl died at the scene, the young man was transported by ambulance. Investigators say that before the accident they got at least one call complaining about the black Dodge driving erratically on Louetta. The driver of the Dodge stopped and was questioned by investigators: he will have to undergo a mandatory blood draw.

Elia Ortiz hurt when 12 year old driver crashes through her fence

Elia Ortiz is recovering after suffering some serious injuries when a GMC pickup truck crashed through the fence of her home in the Woodland Oaks subdivision. When a 12-year old boy’s parents refused to take him to the store, he took the keys to the pickup truck without permission. According to police the boy lost control of the pickup truck and crashed completely through the fence, hitting 32-year old Elia in her leg and back. Elia was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital with a fractured spine and sprained leg. The accident happened Saturday May 26th at around 1:00pm; the home is near Garsee and Hollister. Elia was released from the hospital Saturday evening in a lot of pain. Elia’s neighbors said that once the accident was over the boy was crying and asking for forgiveness in Spanish, saying it was all an accident. Channel 2’s story is here.

Mustang driver flees scene of collision with minivan on W Dyna

Police believe the driver of a red Ford Mustang who fled the scene of a two car accident last night may have run because he was driving under the influence. Drivers were slowing down along the freeway at W. Dyna to look at a low-rider car showing going on in the parking lot of a shopping center. A gold-colored GMC Safari minivan had slowed down on the feeder when it was rear-ended by the northbound Mustang. That impact pushed the minivan into an electrical pole, snapping it, and then into a water pipe that was also broken in the accident. Channel 13’s report said the driver of the minivan was injured in the accident but nobody else was hurt. Police believe the Mustang driver was drunk: officers at the scene said there were beer bottles in the Mustang. Memorial Day weekend is a no-refusal weekend, meaning whether they want to or not, drivers suspected of driving under the influence will be required to undergo alcohol testing. Injured by a drunk driver and not sure what to do? Smith & Hassler’s experienced personal injury attorneys can help. Call for a no cost case evaluation.

Police are looking for the driver of this Mustang who fled on foot

The driver of this GMC minivan was injured in the rear-end accident

Tire blow out on Ford Expedition causes deadly rollover on Highway 290 near Badtke Road

Sadly a woman and a six month old baby girl have died in a rollover accident following a tire blow out in northwest Harris County today. The crash happened at around 1:00pm on Highway 290 near Badtke Road. According to officials Jose Acosta lost control of the Ford Expedition SUV he was driving after a tire blew out. Witnesses said the rear left tire lost its tread (known as “de-treading”) before blowing out. There were seven people inside the Expedition when it crashed: the woman who died was riding in the front passenger seat. Channel 2’s story is here. Channel 13’s story is here.

A woman and a 6-month old girl died when this Ford Expedition rolled after a rear tire detreaded

Houston family hires Smith and Hassler for major rear end car accident

Smith & Hassler were recently retained by a Houston area father to represent the man and his two young children, ages 5 and 2.  The family were involved in a severe rear-end car accident on a Houston freeway when they were struck from behind by a full-size pickup truck.  The family’s Chevrolet Impala was pushed forward into the vehicle in front of them and is a total loss. If you have been involved in a car accident and need an effective and efficient Houston personal injury firm to help you, you can contact Smith & Hassler any time day or night, or submit your case online for a no charge consultation.

Smith and Hassler represents a father and his two young children involved in a severe rear end collision