Houston, Texas (October 4, 2023) — Houston-based law firm Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner with partner Brant J. Stogner and attorneys Jennifer Stogner and Taylor Pace have filed a lawsuit against Hussmann Corporation and the driver of a Hussmann truck who killed seven-year-old Juan Pablo Ariza-Rozo.
The lawsuit stems from a wreck that occurred on August 8, 2023, wherein Andrea Ariza-Rozo was driving her children — seven-year-old Juan Pablo and nine-year-old Andres — to their first days of second and fourth grade. They never made it.
On their way to school, the family was travelling on I-69 near the 242 overpass when the driver of a commercial Hussmann vehicle lost control, swerved to the right, and rode up onto the guard rail, becoming airborne. The Hussmann vehicle then turned left, back into traffic, and landed on top of the Ariza- Rozo family’s vehicle, causing a deadly collision.
Seven-year-old Juan Pablo sustained severe injuries due to the impact and was life-flighted to Texas Children’s Hospital. Despite the valiant efforts of Juan Pablo’s doctors, the seven-year-old succumbed to his injuries and died two days later.
Juan Pablo’s family members who survived the crash — his mother and his nine-year-old brother — also sustained severe injuries in the collision.
The driver of the Hussmann vehicle, Juan Napoles, Jr., has been involved in eight motor vehicle collisions since 2016. In a prior wreck that he caused in 2018, Mr. Napoles told officers on the scene that the wreck occurred because he “…had recently gotten off work and was heading home while fatigued…” and that the wreck happened when he “… closed his eyes for a quick moment…”
The Ariza-Rozo lawsuit includes negligence, negligent entrustment, negligent hiring, gross negligence, bystander claims, and wrongful death claims and is seeking damages of over $100,000,000.00 on behalf of the Ariza-Rozo family.
Firm Partner and lead attorney Brant Stogner added “This family’s loss is a tragedy that should have never happened. How does a company have someone driving for them with this type of known driving record? The driver and Hussmann are grossly negligent for this collision. This family is forever changed and for such a young child to lose his life because of this is unforgivable.”
For questions regarding the lawsuit or interview requests, please contact Geoffrey Adkinson at [email protected] or 713-222-7211.
About Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner
Founded in 1951, Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner is one of the longest-standing personal injury law firms in Texas. Our distinguished history and reputation work to the advantage of each of our clients. We represent injured individuals in personal injury lawsuits because we enjoy helping people. Our clients come from many walks of life: from national sports figures and artists to working-class families dealing with catastrophic accidents. We put our dedication and resources behind each case we handle with the mission of obtaining the best resolution possible. Our clients receive some of the most experienced and successful legal representation in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.abrahamwatkins.com