Man test-driving muscle car kills mom of three while going 120 mph, Texas suit says
A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed in Texas on behalf of three siblings whose mother died in a car accident involving a man test-driving a muscle car at 120 mph in a 45 mph zone.
Quma Martinez Carrillo, 47, of Odessa, was killed June 7 in a two-vehicle accident, according to Houston-based law firm Zehl & Associates, which filed the lawsuit July 15 on behalf of Carrillo’s children.
Benjamin Meece, 37, was test-driving a 2021 Dodge Challenger with a salesperson from All American Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Odessa when he crashed into Carrillo, according to the lawsuit.
Meece, the salesperson and the dealership are named as defendants in the lawsuit.
McClatchy News reached out July 16 to All American Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram of Odessa for comment but did not receive an immediate response. Attorney information for Meece and the salesperson was not available.
Surveillance footage and data from the Dodge Challenger show Meece reached a maximum speed of 124 mph during the test drive, the lawsuit said.
Meece was traveling at 120 mph — nearly three times the 45 mph speed limit — when he collided with Carrillo, causing her to be thrown from her vehicle, the lawsuit said.
Carrillo’s daughter “drove past the scene to get coffee right after the accident and saw her mother’s body on the street,” according to a release from Zehl & Associates.
Odessa city officials said Meece made “no attempt to render aid and fled the scene on foot” but was later arrested by Odessa police.
Meece was charged with failing to stop and render aid, as well as manslaughter and aggravated assault, according to city officials and the firm.
The family seeks compensation for monetary damages and mental anguish as well as a jury trial, according to the lawsuit.
This story was originally published July 17, 2024 at 7:52 AM with the headline "Man test-driving muscle car kills mom of three while going 120 mph, Texas suit says."
