Driver, car salesman and auto dealership named as defendants in fatal Odessa accident

Zehl & Associates has filed a wrongful death suit on behalf of three siblings in a June 7 two-vehicle accident in Odessa in which the siblings’ mother, Quma Martinez Carrillo, 47, was killed.

According to the filing and police reports, one of the defendants, Benjamin Meece, 37, was test-driving a 2021 Dodge Challenger alongside car salesman Kenneth Salas in the passenger seat. Salas was working on behalf of All American Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Odessa, which is listed as a defendant along with Meece and Salas.

Mr. Meece was driving eastbound in the 4800 block of East University Drive in Odessa when the Challenger and Ms. Carrillo’s Honda Accord crashed at the intersection of Oakwood Drive, ejecting her from the vehicle. Surveillance cameras and black box data from the car indicate that the Challenger reached speeds up to 124 mph.

Compounding the impact of this tragedy, according to the lawsuit, Ms. Carrillo’s daughter Natasha drove past the scene to get coffee right after the accident and saw her mother’s body on the street.

“Benjamin Meece had no business being allowed behind the wheel in the first place. On top of that, his recklessness and negligence were enabled by a man trying to make a sale,” said Zehl & Associates founding partner Ryan Zehl. “Nothing will bring Quma back to her family, but we want to make sure that Mr. Meece, Mr. Salas and the dealership are held accountable.”

Officers say Meece tried to flee the scene on foot after the crash. He was arrested and charged with four felony charges, including manslaughter and aggravated assault. The lawsuit notes that Meece has an extensive arrest record, including charges of criminal trespass, child endangerment, vehicle theft, breaking and entering, theft, forgery and more.

The plaintiffs – Natasha Hitchcock, Alexis Urias, and Ms. Carrillo’s minor son, identified as G.C. in the filing – are seeking to recover damages including court costs, funeral costs, loss of income, loss of companionship and mental anguish.

The case is Natasha Hitchcock, et al. v. Lithia CJDO, Inc., Benjamin Meece, and Kenneth Salas in the 70^th District Court of Ector County, Texas. The case number is A24070751CV.

About Zehl & Associates

Zehl & Associates is an undefeated Houston-based personal injury law firm that represents accident victims across Texas, Louisiana and the United States, earning a reputation for recovering record-breaking verdicts and settlements for its clients. The firm’s practice areas include truck and 18-wheeler accidents, oil field, maritime and refinery accidents, and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases. The firm has secured billions of dollars for its clients, obtaining unprecedented victories against the largest trucking, oil and gas, maritime and petrochemical companies in the world.

For more information, visit https://www.zehllaw.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240715344092/en/