Teen, City Sued for Wrongful Death

The family members of the deceased and survivors of a fatal vehicle accident that occurred at Harlingen’s Haine Drive and FM 509 on New Year’s Eve have sued a teen pickup truck driver and the city of Harlingen. The wreck was between the pickup and a city garbage truck. Three persons who were passengers in the Ford pickup, two adult males and a 14-year-old boy, were injured fatally in the accident.

According to the Valley Morning Star, the pickup failed to yield the right-of-way to the garbage truck as the pickup attempted a left-hand turn. Both the pickup driver and the garbage truck driver sustained injuries in the accident. The driver of the trash truck has not been named as a defendant in the wrongful death lawsuit.

The plaintiffs are seeking more than $1,000,000 to cover actual damages for medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of wages. In addition to the suit for actual damages, the plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages of four times actual damages against the pickup driver.

The lawsuit alleges that both the 16-year-old pickup driver and the city of Harlingen were negligent. Furthermore, the plaintiffs allege that the 16-year-old has been indifferent to the safety, rights, and welfare of others. The also claim that his actions or omissions show gross negligence or malice.