The City of Beaumont could be forking over tens of thousands of dollars following a case of alleged distracted driving by a police officer. City Council members are set to decide Tuesday afternoon if they'll sign off on a settlement for a civil lawsuit against the city, closing the nearly 5 year old case for $43,000.
Court Documents allege that in June of 2010 Justin Jackson was involved in an accident with Beaumont Police Officer Randy Earl Stevens on Interstate 10. Jackson says Officer Stevens took his eyes off the roadway to read a piece of paper when the officer's patrol car struck Jackson's vehicle from behind, causing the vehicle to roll multiple times. Court Documents show the City of Beaumont appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and to the Texas Supreme Court in the civil lawsuit but both attempts were denied.
If Council members sign off on the amount, City Attorney Tyrone Cooper will be authorized to settle the suit. Attorneys on both sides are waiting to see if council will take action at Tuesday's meeting before offering any comments over the case.
