A wrongful death lawsuit was filed on July 15, 2024, following the death of Quma Martinez Carrillo, who was killed when a 2021 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack collided with her vehicle in Odessa, Texas. The lawsuit names the driver, car salesman, and dealership as defendants.
On June 7, 2024, 47-year-old Carrillo was driving her 2005 Honda Accord near East University Drive and Oakwood Drive when she was struck by a Dodge Challenger test-driven by Benjamin Meece, 37. Kenneth Salas, a salesman from All American Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Odessa, was in the passenger seat.
According to court documents, the Dodge Challenger was traveling at over 120 mph in a zone with a limit of 45 mph. Matt Greenberg, representing Carrillo’s family with Zehl & Associates, stated that the case focuses on how a reckless driver was permitted to operate a highly powerful sports car, ultimately leading to the death of their client.
After the crash, Carrillo was thrown from her vehicle. Her daughter, Natasha Hitchcock, came across the scene while on her way to get coffee. The lawsuit describes the mental anguish of unexpectedly discovering a body on the side of the road, only to realize it was her mother.
Meece fled the scene but was found hiding under plywood in a nearby backyard. He was arrested and charged with collision involving death, aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, and manslaughter. His driving record includes over 25 arrests since 2005, with charges of reckless driving, unauthorized vehicle use, and more.
The lawsuit accuses the dealership of negligence for allowing Meece to test drive the high-powered vehicle despite his driving history. It also highlights Salas’s alleged history of promoting reckless test drives, including social media posts boasting about “a hell of a test drive” with customers.
Carrillo’s children, Natasha Hitchcock, Alexis Urias, and their brother, identified as G.C., are seeking damages exceeding $1 million for funeral expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship, and mental anguish.
Lithia Motors, the dealership’s parent company, declined to comment on the pending litigation but confirmed that Salas is no longer employed at the dealership. The case has raised questions about the responsibilities of dealerships and salespeople in ensuring the safety of test drives.
As the lawsuit proceeds, it calls for accountability and industry-wide changes in test drive protocols. Carrillo’s family continues to seek justice for their loss and aims for improvements in safety measures to prevent future incidents.