The son of a trucker who burned alive in the cab of a heavy wrecker as his own rig was being towed has filed a lawsuit against the towing company. 

The fatal accident happened on May 8th on Transmountain in northwest El Paso, Texas. The lawsuit has been filed by law firm Kherkher Garcia LLP against Sheffield Towing Service. 

According to KFox14, truck driver 65-year-old Aldo Jenkins was riding in the passenger seat of a yellow, 1994 Kenworth heavy wrecker as it towed his disabled semi truck. The 28-year-old wrecker driver allegedly did not brake as he approached the intersection of Loop 375 and N. Desert Boulevard, causing the heavy wrecker and towed semi truck to smash into 11 other vehicles. The heavy wrecker then caught fire, and Jenkins was burned alive, as reported by the law firm. Seven other people were injured in the crash. 

The law firm has filed the suit on behalf of Jenkins’ son. The suit alleges that the driver’s negligent and careless disregard for his duties as a safe driver for profit led to the death of Jenkins. The suit accuses the driver of speeding, failing to maintain a safe distance, allowing himself to be distracted by an electronic device, and consciously disregarding the serious risks in doing so. 

The suit holds Sheffield Towing Service responsible for the wreck by failing to develop, implement, and enforce safety policies regarding operating a tow truck, as well as policies regarding driver distraction through the use of electronic devices.