skip to content
WigRum Logo

Case Summaries

State Highway Under Construction Causes Head On Collision

Kleberg County, Texas: On August 8, 2016, Maria Ortega was involved in a head-on collision near the center of the roadway on State Highway 285, causing Maria Ortega to suffer severe and permanent injuries, which eventually resulted in her death. At the time of the accident, State Highway 285 was under construction, and lacked any permanent pavement markings or rumble strips.

Superior Asphalt, dba Texas SAI, Inc., as the general contractor on the project was responsible for the overall accomplishment of the highway reconstruction project and the safety of the traveling public, and had failed to install the required traffic control devices at the site of this accident, in violation of their contract with the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT).

Highway Barricades and Service, LLC, West Texas Rock Resources LLC dba West Texas Rumble Strip, and Altus Traffic Management LLC, were the sub-contractors under Superior Asphalt on the reconstruction project of State Highway 285. These three sub-contractors, despite a contractual obligation to place permanent pavement markings on the roadway within 14 days of completion, failed to place any permanent pavement markings on the road in a timely manner in violation of their contract with TXDOT.

David Rumley of Wigington Rumley Dunn & Blair, LLP, filed suit on behalf of Maria Ortega’s family against Superior Asphalt dba Texas SAI, Inc., Highway Barricades and Service, LLC, West Texas Rock Resources LLC dba West Texas Rumble Strip, and Altus Traffic Management LLC., contending negligence, constituting a proximate cause of Maria Ortega’s injuries and death. This case settled for a confidential sum.