Passenger Involved in Wrong-Way DWI Manslaughter Crash Files a Lawsuit Against the Bar that Overserved the Drunk Driver

Houston, Texas(Feb. 8, 2022) — Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner partner Brant Stogner and attorney Soroush Montazari filed a lawsuit on behalf of Dilma Dos Santos. Ms. Dos Santos was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck by a drunk driver that was driving the wrong way on Spur 527. Ms. Dos Santos remains in the hospital and has undergone multiple surgeries.

On or about January 28, 2022, Ms. Dos Santos was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Rashad James driving northbound on 800 Southwest Freeway and Spur 527 in Houston. The defendant Jason Cornelius Black was driving a Ford-150 headed southbound in the northbound lanes of the Southwest Freeway. Mr. Black was operating his truck while intoxicated, driving the wrong way on the Southwest Freeway exit ramp; and caused a major head-on collision. Mr. Black violently struck the vehicle that Ms. Dos Santos was a passenger in causing severe and disabling injuries to Ms. Dos Santos.

Before the accident, on the evening of January 27th through the early hours of January 28th, Mr. Black consumed alcohol at CRU Lounge and was over-served by CRU Lounge as the term is defined by the Dram Shop Act. Mr. Black was obviously intoxicated when he was served alcoholic beverages at CRU Lounge. By being over-served alcoholic beverages, Mr. Black presented a clear danger to himself and others. As a result of this incident and the severity of the impact, the passenger of Mr. Black’s vehicle, Diandra Bellamy, was killed in the collision. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has charged Mr. Black with intoxication manslaughter.

“This tragic crash could have been avoided had CRU Lounge not overserved Mr. Black. Safety of your patrons and the general public should be a priority of any bar or nightclub, however, unfortunately we see these types of incidents occurring more often than not.”, said Soroush Montazari, attorney for Ms. Dos Santos.

“This is yet another example of people being killed and catastrophically inured in a completely preventable accident. Mr. Black was overserved to the point that he was driving the wrong way on the highway.” Said firm partner, Brant J. Stogner, attorney for Ms. Dos Santos.

The lawsuit alleges negligence and gross negligence against the driver. The plaintiffs also allege Dram Shop violations against CRU Lounge for overserving alcohol to Mr. Black before the crash. In their Original Petition, Ms. Dos Santos is seeking aggregate relief of over $1,000,000.00 for her injuries.

For questions regarding the lawsuit or interview requests, please contact Geoffrey Adkinson at [email protected] or 713-222-7211 or Soroush Montazari at [email protected]