Scott Callahan Hired to Represent Student Hit by Speeding Cafeteria Worker at Alief Hastings High School

Woman Traveling Twice the Legal Limit Before Striking Student

Throughout the country, school zones require drivers to travel at 20 miles per hour or less when children are present. The streets surrounding Hastings High School in Houston, Texas are no different. According to police, a cafeteria worker from Alief Hastings was travelling at least twice the speed limit in a school zone when she struck and severely injured a student.

The student, represented by Katy personal injury lawyer Scott Callahan, was critically injured as a result of the incident. He spent months in the hospital after suffering a traumatic brain injury. His attorney, Mr. Callahan, is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Lawyer by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He is a dedicated trial lawyer who has been advocating for injury victims for nearly 25 years.

School Employee Charged with Aggravated Assault

Prosecutors have charged the Alief Hastings cafeteria worker, 56-year-old Chinyere Iheagwam, with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Law enforcement agents believe that she was travelling at least 40 – 50 miles per hour when she struck the student. Surveillance video available to the public through ABC 13 Eyewitness News shows the high rate of speed.

In addition to the video, witnesses at the scene report that she did not stop after striking the student, but instead kept going until slamming head-on into another vehicle. The crash occurred in a 20 mph school zone where several students were present. Reports also indicate that just prior to the crash, she was going at least 45 mph as she passed a school bus.

School Employee Charged with Aggravated Assault

After the collision, the student was taken to the hospital in critical condition. As reported by KHOU 11, an ambulance arrived on the scene, taking the Hastings High School student to Houston Southwest Memorial. He suffered considerable brain injuries which left him in the ICU for weeks, and he has undergone extensive rehabilitation, including learning how to walk, eat, and function again.

The crash occurred as students were getting out of school. Witnesses say that the young man was walking with a group of friends when he was struck by a red car driven by the cafeteria worker. Police indicate that the driver gave multiple different accounts about the accident including that she was driving 16 mph when the collision occurred, but surveillance video disputed her version of the events.

Prosecutors say that she was not only speeding, but also driving in a turn lane despite having nowhere to turn for hundreds of feet before the collision. The driver was taken into custody and initially held on $30,000 bond.

Making School Zones Safer

The Alief Independent School District issued a statement regarding the tragedy. The district is making changes to “traffic flow” and “pedestrian crossing” to help increase the safety of the students. They are hoping to work with the City of Houston to find a permanent design solution.

The streets around schools can be especially dangerous for students. School zones are designed to lower the speed limit and protect children who may be arriving or leaving school. Unfortunately, many people do not observe posted speed limits resulting in serious injury or death to young people across the country.

Contact Scott Callahan & Associates

The facts of the case are tragic. A young life was forever changed and nearly taken away by a reckless driver. Speeding is one of the leading causes of fatal traffic accidents in the country. When a person drives with reckless disregard for the safety of others, particularly children, they should be held accountable.

If you or a family member are seriously injured in an auto accident, contact our Katy car accident lawyers at Scott Callahan & Associates. We understand the devastation caused by an unexpected injury. Our attorneys are committed to helping families recover from these tragedies. We can help you understand your rights after an accident and guide you through the legal process. Call (713) 888-9000 or fill out our online contact form to discuss your case.