A wrongful death lawsuit was initiated on July 15, 2024, in the aftermath of Quma Martinez Carrillo’s tragic death. Carrillo died in a car collision involving a 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack in Odessa, Texas. The lawsuit names the driver, a car salesman, and the dealership as defendants.

The fatal accident occurred on June 7, 2024. Carrillo, aged 47, was driving her 2005 Honda Accord at the intersection of East University Drive and Oakwood Drive when she was hit by a Dodge Challenger. The Challenger was being test-driven by Benjamin Meece, 37, with Kenneth Salas, a salesman from All American Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Odessa, Texas, accompanying him as a passenger.

Court documents reveal that the Dodge Challenger was moving at a speed exceeding 120 mph in a zone where the speed limit is 45 mph. Matt Greenberg, part of the legal team at Zehl & Associates representing Carrillo’s family, emphasized that the case is focused on the irresponsible driver who was allowed to operate such a high-performance sports car, leading to their client’s death.

Carrillo was ejected from her car due to the impact of the collision. Her daughter, Natasha Hitchcock, discovered the accident scene while on her way to a coffee shop. The lawsuit describes the emotional distress experienced by Hitchcock when she found her mother’s body at the roadside accident site.

After the accident, Meece ran away from the scene but was later located, hiding under plywood in a nearby backyard. He was then taken into custody and charged with collision involving death, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, and manslaughter. His driving record shows over 25 arrests since 2005, including charges of reckless driving and unauthorized vehicle use among others.

The lawsuit further accuses the dealership of negligence for allowing Meece to test drive the high-powered vehicle, despite his problematic driving record. The lawsuit also points to Salas’s alleged history of encouraging dangerous test drives, citing social media posts where he bragged about taking customers on “a hell of a test drive”.

Carrillo’s children, Natasha Hitchcock, Alexis Urias, and their brother referred to as G.C., are seeking damages of over $1 million. This includes compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.

Lithia Motors, the parent company of the dealership, has decided not to comment on the ongoing lawsuit but did confirm that Salas is no longer working with the dealership. The case has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of dealerships and their salespeople to ensure the safety of test drives.

As the lawsuit continues, it calls for accountability and changes in the procedures for test drives across the industry. Carrillo’s family remains focused on seeking justice for their loss and advocating for enhanced safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.