A dramatic legal battle is unfolding in the Eastern District of Louisiana, where a local resident has filed a lawsuit against multiple defendants following a vehicular collision. On February 21, 2025, Catherine Barrett Rice lodged a complaint in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Lewis C. Wilson, By The Sea Resorts, Inc., doing business as Surfside Laundry, and Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P.
The incident at the heart of this case occurred on March 1, 2024. According to the complaint, Catherine Barrett Rice was driving her BMW when it was struck by a commercial freight truck operated by Lewis C. Wilson on Carondelet Street in New Orleans. The truck was owned by Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P., and leased to Surfside Laundry, which employed Wilson as a driver. The collision allegedly happened when Wilson attempted an improper right turn from the left lane, causing significant damage to Rice's vehicle and resulting in severe injuries for her.
Rice accuses Wilson of negligence for failing to adhere to traffic laws and safety standards. She asserts that he did not take necessary precautions or maintain control over his vehicle. "Wilson's failure to act as a reasonable or prudent driver directly led to the accident," claims Rice in her filing. Furthermore, she holds Surfside Laundry vicariously liable under Louisiana law for Wilson's actions during his employment duties.
In addition to vicarious liability claims against Surfside Laundry, Rice alleges direct negligence on their part for inadequate hiring practices and insufficient training and supervision of their drivers. She argues that Surfside Laundry encouraged reckless driving through unreasonable scheduling demands and failed to provide proper navigation tools or policies preventing negligent operation of vehicles.
Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P., is also named in the suit for entrusting their vehicle to an incompetent driver without ensuring adequate qualifications or training were met by both Wilson and Surfside Laundry.
Rice seeks damages exceeding $75,000 exclusive of interest and costs due to physical injuries sustained from the crash. Her demands include compensation for medical expenses (past and future), pain and suffering (both physical and mental), loss of enjoyment of life, special care services required post-accident among other reliefs deemed appropriate by court proceedings.
Representing Catherine Barrett Rice is attorney Thomas W. Shlosman from Shlosman Law Firm based in New Orleans. The case has been assigned Civil Action No. 2:25-cv-00361 with proceedings expected before judges within Section Magistrate jurisdiction.