Executive Summary
- James Chavera, 18, and Gabriel Carrizales, 19, were killed in a collision in Pearsall, Texas, on January 17.
- The parents of Chavera have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against driver Cameron Brewer and Stricker Drilling Company.
- Court filings allege Brewer was speeding, intoxicated, and distracted by his phone at the time of the crash.
- The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial and damages for alleged gross negligence.
The parents of an 18-year-old killed in a collision in Pearsall, Texas, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver of a heavy-duty pickup truck and the oil company that employs him.
James Matthew Mata Chavera, 18, and Gabriel Carrizales, 19, sustained fatal injuries on January 17 when their sedan was struck near Oak and Trinity streets around 6:30 p.m. According to the lawsuit filed this week by Bobby Chavera and Danielle Lopez Chavera, the plaintiffs allege that the other driver, Cameron Brewer, was operating the vehicle while intoxicated, speeding, and distracted by his phone at the time of the incident.
The complaint names Stricker Drilling Company as a co-defendant, asserting that Brewer was acting under the company’s "direction, control and oversight" when the crash occurred. The filing claims gross negligence on the part of the defendants and seeks unspecified damages through a jury trial. Dwaine S. Stricker Jr. is listed as the registered agent for the drilling firm, though representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.
While Brewer was cleared by medical personnel at the scene, the lawsuit contends he ignored a traffic signal. It remains unclear from current records whether Brewer faces criminal charges related to the allegations of intoxication or reckless driving cited in the civil complaint.
Civil Litigation and Liability
This filing initiates the civil litigation phase of the tragedy, separate from any potential criminal proceedings. In cases involving commercial vehicles, plaintiffs frequently target employers under the doctrine of respondeat superior, which can hold companies liable for employees’ actions performed within the scope of employment. The outcome will likely hinge on evidence regarding the driver’s alleged state of intoxication and the company’s oversight protocols.
It is important to note that the lawsuit represents the plaintiffs’ allegations, and in regard to any criminal accusations, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
