Family Launches Wrongful Death Suit after Recent Texas Car Crash

Midland, TXThe family of a Texas woman killed in a head-on Texas car crash on the first day of summer has hired a lawyer to bring a wrongful death suit on her behalf. Marina Lisa Robles and her passenger Joe Luis Ramon, both 47, were killed when the car they were driving was struck by a business vehicle driven by a man with a "history of alcohol and / or drug offences," according to the Robles family's attorney.

Public records hold that in spite of that alleged history, the only conviction that shows up on Justin Paul Pruett's record is a Class B misdemeanor for marijuana possession in 1998. Nonetheless, the plaintiffs have launched a wrongful death lawsuit against Pruett and his employer, A-1 Fire and Safety Equipment Company.

Pruett was charged in connection with the accident. He was released from the Ector County Detention Center on $50,000 in bonds and faces two counts of intoxication and manslaughter in the deaths of the two victims of the June 21 car crash.

According to a 7/2/10 account in the Odessa American, Robles came to a complete stop at an intersection and was getting ready to turn onto the eastbound lanes of Business 20 near Center Avenue when Pruett's eastbound truck turned off Business 20 toward Center Avenue. In so doing, the truck collided head-on with the Robles' car.

The Department of Public Safety report indicated that Pruett was driving a company truck at the time. In the Robles' wrongful death suit against Pruett, the plaintiffs are also naming Pruett's employer for hiring and entrusting Pruett with a company vehicle.

The plaintiffs have requested a trial by jury through their Texas accident attorney.