Family of Texas man killed on motorcycle sues Missouri trucking firm, driver

By Jim Greene

Published on November 29, 2005

A Missouri trucking firm and its driver are being sued by the family of a Texas man killed when a tractor-trailer struck his motorcycle near Pharr, TX., November 12.

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed last week on behalf of the wife, four children, and parents of Carlos Rodriguez against Contract Freighters, Inc., and driver Berdine Mitchell in the U.S. District Court of Judge Ricardo Hinojosa.

According to the suit, Mitchell made an improper left turn from the wrong lane and failed to yield the right-of-way to Rodriguez., who died later that day in an area hospital.

A police spokesperson said the investigation into the tractor trailer and motorcycle accident would be completed soon and a report turned over to Hidalgo County prosecutors. A sample of Mitchell's blood was taken for the investigation. She was not issued a driving citation at the time of the crash.

Contract Freighters is cooperating with authorities in the investigation, according to a spokesperson, but has not issued a response to the suit. The company owns 2,482 vehicles, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and has reported 256 crashes in the past two years, 13 of which resulted in deaths. According to FMCSA standards, the company qualifies for a satisfactory safety rating.

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