Wrongful death suit
The family of a Midland resident killed in a head-on collision June 21 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the man driving the other vehicle and his employer’s company.
Justin Paul Pruett, 35, of Moody, was charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter in connection with the deaths of Marina Lisa Robles, 47 and her passenger Joe Luis Ramon, also 47.
Pruett was released Saturday from the Ector County Detention Center on bonds totaling $50,000.
Robles’ attorney Chad Inderman said Robles, 47, was stopped and preparing to turn onto the eastbound lanes of Business 20 near Center Avenue.
According to the Department of Public Safety accident report, 35-year-old Justin Paul Pruett’s eastbound 2005 Ford truck turned off of Business 20 toward Center Avenue, colliding with Robles’ vehicle head-on.
Inderman said Pruett had a “history of alcohol and/or drug offense(s),” but according to public records, Pruett’s only conviction is a 1998 class B misdemeanor for possession of a small amount of marijuana.
The family was also suing Pruett’s employer, A-1 Fire and Safety Equipment Company, for hiring and entrusting Pruett with a company vehicle.
The family has requested a jury trial, Inderman said.
