HOUSTON — ExxonMobil has been hit with a lawsuit alleging a driver sustained injuries after his truck failed to clear a gate, even though a sign indicated his truck would.
Seeking damages “well in excess” of $1 million, Jase Gautreaux filed his suit May 18 in Harris County District Court, also naming ExxonMobil Chemical InterAmerica as a defendant.
According to the petition, the Exxon defendants own and operate a facility in Baytown. Gautreaux is a truck driver formerly employed by a firm that works as a contractor for the defendants.
While at work on Sept. 13, 2025, Gautreaux was asked to drive his truck, which was carrying a full load, to the “environmental side” of the facility. After he was cleared by the security staff to enter, he noticed a sign above the gate indicating that it had a clearance of thirteen feet and six inches.
“Knowing that his truck was under that height, he proceeded,” the suit states. “In reality, the gate only had clearance for eleven feet and two inches because Defendants’ employees did not consider the steel beams included in the gate design.
“Plaintiff’s truck hit the steel beams and came to an abrupt and immediate stop, as if hitting a wall. The full weight of the truck jostled Plaintiff’s body back and forth within the cab and he felt immediate pain in his shoulders.
Gautreaux was informed by the security staff that multiple requests had been made to change the sign because similar accidents had occurred due to confusion about the gate’s clearance.
He is alleging gross negligence, accusing the defendants of malice and proceeding in conscious indifference to his welfare.
On top of punitive damages, Gautreaux is seeking damages for his past and future impairment, medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, pain, mental anguish, disfigurement and loss of household services.
The Buzbee Law Firm is representing him.
Harris County Case No. 2026-33416
