ATASCOCITA, Texas – The families of two 16-year-old girls killed in a car crash believed to be the result of drunk driving are sending a message by filing a lawsuit.
It's a message in the form of wrongful death lawsuits filed on behalf of the families of Chloe Robison and Salma Gomez.
Recommended Videos
The two Atascocita High School students were killed last month when police say they got in the car of 17-year-old Jaggar Smith, who was drunk, according to authorities.
According to investigators, Smith bought the alcohol at a convenience store in Humble a few hours before the fatal crash.
"They want to send a message to the community," said attorney Randy Sorrels, who represents the Robison family. "To store owners and store clerks, that they have to follow the law, they have to follow the rules and not sell alcohol to children."
Store clerk Gumaro Campos -- already facing charges of selling alcohol to a minor -- is listed in the lawsuit, along with Smith's mother and the parent company of the Handi Stop store where the alcohol was sold.
Channel 2 sat down with Sorrels, who says Campos -- also known as "Romeo" -- was known to sell alcohol to minors.
"When the children in that area, the Atascocita area, saw that Romeo's car was in the parking lot, they felt it was a safe time to go in and try to buy alcohol," says Sorrels. "Because he would not card or ID them."
The lawsuit does seek monetary damages, but Robison's family says no amount of money can erase their pain -- pain made sharper in recent days.
"The return of school," Sorrels said. "They see all of the people celebrating their children's first day and they won't have any other days with Chloe."
Also listed as a defendant in the lawsuits is Jaggar Smith's mother, Shelly Smith. Jaggar Smith cannot be sued because he is a minor.
