A Texas man who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a Baytown crash is suing DoorDash and one of its drivers, alleging the driver ran a red light while intoxicated.
Christopher Engle, 48, filed the lawsuit last week against DoorDash Inc. and the driver, Daniel Eastman, 55. Lawyers for Engle at the Houston-area law firm Arnold & Itkin said Eastman ran a red light on July 25 at a Baytown intersection. The lawsuit says Engle suffered “serious and debilitating” injuries, including a traumatic brain injury.
The lawsuit alleges DoorDash failed to properly screen, train and supervise Eastman and allowed him to remain on its platform after the crash. The case raises questions about what responsibility app-based delivery companies have for the driving records and conduct of people making deliveries through their platforms.
An image included with the lawsuit shows Engle in a hospital bed with a tube in his mouth and splints. Engle is seeking up to $1 million in damages, according to the lawsuit.
DoorDash did not respond to requests for comment. Eastman did not have an attorney listed in court records Thursday.
According to a crash report obtained by the Houston Chronicle, investigators listed disregarding a traffic signal and alcohol intoxication as contributing factors.
Chambers County court records show Eastman was charged in 2019 with running a red light. For that offense, Eastman was court-ordered to complete a driving safety course.
Lawyers for Engle argue in their suit that DoorDash was negligent in its hiring, training and supervision of Eastman. They also allege DoorDash allowed Eastman to remain on its platform after the crash.
In June, a Tesla driven by Michael Butler crashed into a Katy-area home and fatally injured 76-year-old Martha Avila while Butler was making a DoorDash delivery. Butler was later charged with manslaughter in July.
In a statement to the Chronicle, DoorDash called Avila’s death a “horrible and senseless tragedy.” The company said it was fully cooperating with law enforcement and deactivated Butler’s account.