Parents Of 2 Humble Teens Killed In DWI Crash File Lawsuit

HOUSTON — The parents of Chloe Robison and Salma Gomez — the two 16-year-old Atascocita High School students killed in a July 25 DWI crash — have filed a wrongful death lawsuit, attorneys for the families said Tuesday afternoon.

The suit names Humble Handi Stop, where teen driver Jagger Smith allegedly bought the alcohol he confessed to drinking before the crash. Others named in the litigation include store clerk Gumaro Campos and Smith's mother Shelly Smith.

“As a community we do not need more laws.," Jason Webster, the lawyer representing the Gomez family, said. "We need to enforce the laws on the books. The defendants in this case sold alcohol to minors which resulted in the deaths of our clients. Humble Handi Stop could have prevented this senseless tragedy by following the law, checking identification and refusing to sell. That did not occur and they will be held responsible.”

According to allegations outlined in the lawsuit, Smith consumed several bottles of MD 20/20, an enhanced wine, before getting behind the wheel of his vehicle with the two other teens inside. Police said 17-year-old was well over the legal limit on July 25, when he ran his car off the road in the 18300 block of Timber Forest at a high rate of speed and smashed into a cluster of trees.

The powerful impact of the crash ripped the car in half, killing Robison instantly, according to police accounts. Gomez, who was in the front seat, died at an area hospital. Smith was slightly injured, and was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of intoxication manslaughter. He is currently free on $60,000 bond while prohibited from driving and must be in his home between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. each day.

Campos was arrested by investigators on Aug. 6 and charged with selling alcohol to a minor, a Class A misdemeanor. He faces up to a year in jail and/or $4,000 fine if convicted. Police said they have evidence that Campos sold alcohol to Smith, who later admitted to police to drinking an entire bottle of MD 20/20 before the fatal crash.

Sean Teare the Harris County DA's Vehicular Crimes Chief., said at an Aug. 6 press conference that students in the area knew the Humble Handi Stop was the place students could purchase alcohol.

“The Harris County District Attorney has taken positive steps to address the conduct of the store clerk in the criminal courts," Randy Sorrels, the attorney representing the Robison family, said. "These families are making sure the store itself is held responsible for allowing this type of conduct to endanger our community as a whole. It is time stores like this who sell to minors are held responsible for their lack of policies or oversight,”

The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $1 million for past and future mental anguish, loss of companionship, medical and funeral expenses and physical pain and suffering.

READ: Teen Driver Charged In DWI Crash That Killed 2 Girls

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Image: Salma Gomez (left) and Chloe Robison were killed in a DWI crash on July 25 in Atascocita. Courtesy Robison and Gomez family.

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