Woman who drove SUV into restaurant faces lawsuit

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- An Eyewitness News investigation reveals the driver in a crash that injured nearly a dozen people at a southwest Houston restaurant is now being sued in another crash that happened nearly a year ago.

According to court records, Joanne Jones, 72, was involved in a crash in December of last year and admitted that she failed to hit the breaks and rear-ended a driver, causing a three-car collision. The investigating officer documented the contributing factor in the crash was Jones' failure to control her speed. The officer did not issue her a citation and did not request the Texas Medical Advisory Board to review her driving competency.

Last week, Jones' same Lexus SUV was seen on surveillance video barreling into the Dimassi's restaurant. Jones said she hit the gas instead of the break and injured 11 people, according to the police report obtained by Eyewitness News Wednesday. The investigating officer did not issue Jones a ticket and again, did not request an investigation by MAB.

"The bruise on my body, scratches," said Dimassi's crash victim Jose Rodriguez. "Sometimes, when I remember, I'm scared."

Rodriguez could be seen in the surveillance video jumping out of his chair to avoid Jones' out-of-control Lexus SUV. The man sitting behind him was badly injured in the crash. Rodriguez said he's not upset with the driver, he's mad at police for not issuing Jones a citation.

"I think the police needs more action in that situation," said Rodriguez.

The day after the Dimassi's crash, Attorney Heriberto Ramos filed a civil suit against Jones for the December 2013 accident.

"I thought it was pretty sad to see her in another accident so soon," said Ramos. "When citations are not issued then the Texas Department of Public Safety probably does not know her driving record and she's free to drive around and cause more crashes."

Eyewitness News reached out to the Houston Police Department for comment. Several public information officers said Jones' crash was an accident and she will not be given a ticket. They said it's at the officers discretion who gets a ticket when an accident occurs.