San Angelo Man Files Lawsuit After DPS Trooper Causes Crash

SAN ANGELO, TX — A San Angelo man has filed a lawsuit against the Texas Department of Public Safety after a DPS trooper crashed into his vehicle.

According to the lawsuit, Roberto Serrano was driving on Loop 306 in San Angelo at about 10 a.m. Oct. 4, 2019, when Trooper Lance Meier turned from the outside lane and struck Serrano’s vehicle in the inside lane.

The impact sent Serrano’s vehicle into a side skid before it slammed into a guardrail, which was impaled into his vehicle.

Serrano sustained injuries to his lower back, neck, shoulders and arms, and he experiences numbness in his hands, according to the lawsuit.

Serrano is asking for monetary relief for his medical expenses up to $250,000.

DPS has already issued a check to Serrano for $16,235.45 for damages to his vehicle.

According to the lawsuit, Meier initially said he had turned from the outside lane to cross over the grassy median and pursue a speeding vehicle. 

However, the Trooper was unable to provide any information about the alleged speeding vehicle, including the make, model, color or speed, the lawsuit stated. 

Meier also failed to turn on his emergency lights or siren, signal he was turning, look over his shoulder and properly use his rearview mirrors, according to the lawsuit.

The Trooper was still in his first year on the job.

A hearing will be held Monday, Oct. 14, to consider the defendant’s plea of the jurisdiction, which is challenging the trial court’s authority to hear the case.

A jury trial is tentatively scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4, before Judge Ben Woodward in the 119th Judicial District Court.