Litigation

Kickapoo Tribe added to lawsuit over deadly casino bus accident

Monday, May 23, 2016

The Kickapoo Tribe owns and operates the Lucky Eagle Casino in Eagle Pass, Texas. Photo from Facebook

The Kickapoo Tribe of Texas has been added to a lawsuit stemming from an accident that claimed nine lives and left dozens of others injured.

The Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino did not operate or charter the bus that crashed on May 14. But an attorney claims the facility worked with a bus coordinator named Elvia Estrada who allegedly failed to ensure the safety of the passengers.

“The casino is liable for the negligence of its Bus Coordinator, Estrada in failing to train Estrada to direct bus drivers under her control as a Casino Bus Coordinator not to travel at unsafe rates of speed, especially during wet and rainy roadway conditions,” the lawsuit reads, The McAllen Monitor reported.

The tribe could be held liable if a jury or judge agrees with the allegation. In a similar case, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma was ordered to pay $11 million in connection with a fatal bus accident that also occurred in Texas. The Choctaws are challenging that ruling.

Get the Story:
Attorney adds bus driver, casino to fatal rollover lawsuit (The McAllen Monitor 5/22)
Ninth person dead in bus rollover (The McAllen Monitor 5/21)