Manuel Mendoza Jr., a former H-E-B worker, had already been convicted for a prior drunk driving accident.
SAN ANTONIO — H-E-B is getting hit with a multi-million dollar lawsuit after one of its workers was in a serious crash that sent seven people to the hospital.
The crash happened on June 11, 2023 in Kyle.
This new lawsuit comes after the H-E-B worker Manuel Mendoza Jr. was already convicted for a past drunk driving accident.
Universal Protection Service, Allied Universal, and 1A Smart Start are three other groups involved in this multi-million dollar lawsuit.
The main argument behind this suit is negligence.
Prosecutors say several measures should have been done with Mendoza that could have prevented the crash.
The lawsuit reports that Mendoza showed up to work on June 10 at the H-E-B distribution center in San Marcos at 3 p.m.
Mendoza was already convicted of a drunk driving accident at this point and the lawsuit alleges he would use substances throughout his shift.
On June 11, Mendoza left the H-E-B distribution center at 1:12 AM reportedly under the supervision of Allied Universal.
Once Mendoza left, the first 911 call came at 1:34 a.m. of a multiple car collision on I-35 North in Kyle.
According to Mendoza’s arrest warrant, Kyle PD officers reported Mendoza having slurred speech, was unsteady on his feet, and could smell alcohol from his breath.
Mendoza reportedly denied taking a field sobriety test and getting his blood drawn, but did admit he had a drinking problem and relapsed.
On Mendoza’s prior conviction, he was supposed to have a breathalyzer installed in his car by smart start but this wasn’t done.
After his arrest Mendoza was sentenced to 10 years in prison in December after pleading guilty to four counts of intoxication assault.
The seven people that were taken to the hospital with serious injuries are filing this lawsuit to seek profit from the damages they’ve experienced.
This morning we have reached out to H-E-B for comments on this lawsuit.
We’re waiting to hear back from them.