Second Civil Suit Filed After Ector County Crash That Killed 3 Kids
By: Dylan Brooks
Updated: November 14, 2012
ODESSA -- A second civil lawsuit has been filed after a crash in Ector County that claimed the lives of 3 children.
Carlos Osvaldo Amaton, 29, Madonna Belis Amaton, 26, and James Belis, 6, recently filed the suit on behalf of Alaina Belis, Jamie Belis, and Ruben Belis -- who were killed in a May 29th crash along U.S. 385 north of Odessa.
Carlos Amaton, Madonna Amaton and James Belis were all passengers in a minivan driven by Linda Ariaza at the time of the crash.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers say that Ariaza, 62, was driving the minivan on U.S. 385 north of Odessa when she slowed down to make a U-turn.
Ariaza was reportedly planning on turning around to deliver a spare tire to a disabled vehicle on the other side of the road.
However, Nicole Sheesley -- who was driving a pickup truck -- reportedly rear-ended the minivan.
The impact from the crash tore off the back of the minivan.
Three children in the minivan -- 4-year-old Alaina Elvita Belis, 11-year-old Jamie Marie Belis and 8-year-old Ruben Julius Belis -- were pronounced dead at the scene.
All 3 deceased children were from Seminole.
Ariaza, James Belis, Madonna Amaton, and Carlos Amaton were all rushed to Medical Center Hospital after with varying injuries after the crash.
All three adults and James Belis later recovered from their injuries.
Sheesley wasn't injured in the crash.
In the recently filed lawsuit, the defendants claim that Sheesley was speeding and following the minivan too closely.
The defendants also add that Sheesley didn't take steps to avoid the collision.
In addition, the defendants claim severe injuries, emotional pain, physical impairment, lost wages and medical expenses.
Linda and Jose Ariaza filed a separate civil lawsuit against Sheesley on September 27th.
An Ector County grand jury decided not to file charges against anyone for the crash on September 11th, even though there was evidence that both drivers were at fault.
Carlos Osvaldo Amaton, 29, Madonna Belis Amaton, 26, and James Belis, 6, recently filed the suit on behalf of Alaina Belis, Jamie Belis, and Ruben Belis -- who were killed in a May 29th crash along U.S. 385 north of Odessa.
Carlos Amaton, Madonna Amaton and James Belis were all passengers in a minivan driven by Linda Ariaza at the time of the crash.
Texas Department of Public Safety troopers say that Ariaza, 62, was driving the minivan on U.S. 385 north of Odessa when she slowed down to make a U-turn.
Ariaza was reportedly planning on turning around to deliver a spare tire to a disabled vehicle on the other side of the road.
However, Nicole Sheesley -- who was driving a pickup truck -- reportedly rear-ended the minivan.
The impact from the crash tore off the back of the minivan.
Three children in the minivan -- 4-year-old Alaina Elvita Belis, 11-year-old Jamie Marie Belis and 8-year-old Ruben Julius Belis -- were pronounced dead at the scene.
All 3 deceased children were from Seminole.
Ariaza, James Belis, Madonna Amaton, and Carlos Amaton were all rushed to Medical Center Hospital after with varying injuries after the crash.
All three adults and James Belis later recovered from their injuries.
Sheesley wasn't injured in the crash.
In the recently filed lawsuit, the defendants claim that Sheesley was speeding and following the minivan too closely.
The defendants also add that Sheesley didn't take steps to avoid the collision.
In addition, the defendants claim severe injuries, emotional pain, physical impairment, lost wages and medical expenses.
Linda and Jose Ariaza filed a separate civil lawsuit against Sheesley on September 27th.
An Ector County grand jury decided not to file charges against anyone for the crash on September 11th, even though there was evidence that both drivers were at fault.
