An Odessa mother of three filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a local bar Wednesday, the day her husband died as a result of injuries police say were inflicted by an 18-year-old drunk driver.
According to Odessa Police Corporal Steve LeSueur, Jose Contreras was driving a Dodge Challenger west on Everglade Sunday when he turned south onto Bellaire, left the roadway and hit Alex Bingham, 25, of Odessa.
Contreras left the scene without stopping to help Bingham and abandoned his vehicle, LeSueur said.
Bingham was taken to Medical Center Hospital and he died Wednesday.
Contreras is now facing intoxication manslaughter and collision involving death charges. He remains in the Ector County jail with surety bonds totaling $200,000.
Nadia Trevino was arrested on suspicion of furnishing alcohol to a minor and she was released from the jail Thursday after posting a $15,000 surety bond.
According to the lawsuit filed Wednesday by Bingham’s wife, Faith Dominguez, Bingham was walking outside his home around 1:30 a.m. when he was struck by Contreras.
Her attorney, Israel Medina, alleges that despite the fact Contreras was underage and obviously intoxicated, the staff at Twist Off Saloon continued to serve him alcohol and permitted him to leave knowing he was a danger to himself and others.
In addition to suing the bar, Dominguez is also suing Contreras.
Medina is seeking monetary relief of over $1 million on behalf of Dominguez and the three children they shared.
