Two Sue Tejano Star Emilio Over Accident Involving Texas DWI in Houston

Band member Daniel Sandoval and passenger Pedro Perez are asking for damages stemming from Emilio's Houston drunk driving accident.

A band member and a relative of another band member are suing Tejano star Emilio Navaira over an incident of driving while intoxicated in Houston, TX. Emilio was driving the band's tour bus when he struck a concrete barrier on West Loop 610 at about 5:00 am last March. Emilio was later determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the wreck.

Daniel Sandoval, drummer with the Grupo Rio band, and Pedro Perez are asking for unspecified damages for injuries. Sandoval received back and head injuries from the accident. Emilio suffered a brain injury after being ejected from the bus through the windshield. Immediately after the accident, the band members only expressed concern for the well being of Emilio.

Shortly after the accident, it was revealed that Emilio had a blood alcohol content of .19%, more than twice the legal limit for intoxicated driving in Texas. In addition the singer had two previous Texas DWI arrests. Emilio Navaira, 45, still faces charges of Texas DWI and felony intoxication assault for injuring five bus passengers during the accident.

The lawsuit cites "serious, permanent and disabling injuries" received by Sandoval and Perez. Sandoval required stitches to close a head wound and says the suit is more for lingering back problems. Perez is the grandfather of the band's bajo sexto player, Eddie Perez. In a San Antonio Express News article last March, the younger Perez said he and his father were not injured in the accident.