KILLEEN, Texas — A Killeen family filed a lawsuit Friday against a Killeen nightclub, a street racing association and several others citing the dangers of street racing they say takes place in the city.
Joanna Fuentes, on behalf of her sister Ilia Fuentes, Robert Adrian Garza Sr. and Ashley Rodriguez accuse CTX Racing Club, CeQuil Clemons, Frederick Mayhan, Tracey Mayhan, Victor Quinones, Kapua Camacho and RP Entertainment, LLC also known as Club Tabu of taking part in or organizing the races that take place at night.
"The sole purpose of these street racing clubs is to break laws and harm individuals and families traveling down Killeen’s streets," a news release states.
Club Tabu's parking lot, now called Starlite Station, is used as a meeting place for the race participants and the starting line, according to the lawsuit.
"The families hope that the lawsuit will act to protect the Killeen community in the future from the harm and suffering they are enduring because of the actions of these reckless defendants," the news release states.
According to the lawsuit, Garza and his wife Ilia Fuentes were in an SUV with their five children when their vehicle was hit by a car Clemons was driving on Feb. 28, 2020. Garza was driving south on W.S. Young Dr. They were hit while turning left.
The suit claims Clemons was racing Frederick Mayhan after leaving Club Tabu and that both were part of the CTX Racing Club. Foster was in the car with Clemons and Tracey Mahan was in the car with Frederick Mayhan, according to the suit.
"At Club Tabu, the CTX racers meet there on Wednesday and Friday," said Josh Davis, who is the attorney for the family. "People show up with their cars their vehicles and they call each other out or whatever, they way you might see on the 'Fast and the Furious,' or other type of shows that popularize that type of event."
Garza and Ilia Fuentes suffered the most severe injuries. According to the suit, for three months, Ilia Fuentes was in a coma at Baylor Scott and White Hospital in Temple. Garza is unable to work because of his injuries, the suit claims. The five children suffered cuts, bruises and other soft tissue injuries.
"The car hit her on her on the right side. She is the one who got the most impact," said Joanna Fuentes. "She lost movement on her right leg, her right arm, her eye is distorted so it is not center like ours is. They are using a patch to try to align her vision again."
The plaintiffs are seeking $1 million in damages to cover medical expenses, loss of wages and "significant physical and mental pain, suffering, and anguish which has causes a severe disruption in their normal daily life."
Clemons and Mayhan, were arrested and charged on March 23, 2020 with racing on highway causing serious bodily injury.
6 News reached out to the attorneys of Mayhan and Clemons, Clemons attorney did not want to comment. 6 News is still waiting to hear back from the attorney for Mayhan.
Read the full lawsuit here.