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Steve Kherkher - July 20, 2026
Yesterday, attorneys from Kherkher Garcia, along with Referral Partner David Salazar, held a press conference to discuss a pending lawsuit arising from a violent incident involving a Domino’s pizza delivery driver in downtown Houston.
The case, which is currently pending in Harris County, centers on allegations that Domino’s negligently hired an individual with a known violent criminal history who then attacked one of our clients while making a pizza delivery.
As the case moves closer to trial, Kherkher Garcia continues to advocate for accountability and safer hiring practices that may help prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
According to the lawsuit, Chadi and Carina Mezayek were walking home from dinner in downtown Houston in November 2024 when they encountered a Domino’s delivery driver, Jeremy Russell, who was delivering pizzas by electric bicycle.
The lawsuit alleges that the encounter escalated into a violent attack, during which Mr. Russell stabbed Mr. Mezayek multiple times before fleeing the scene. Mr. Mezayek survived the attack but suffered serious physical and emotional injuries. Mrs. Mezayek also suffered emotional injuries from witnessing the horrifying incident.
The lawsuit alleges that Domino’s previously rejected Mr. Russell’s employment application after a background check revealed a violent felony history. According to court filings, the company later hired him after failing to properly review or interpret information in a subsequent background check.
Kherkher Garcia contends that this case is about more than one isolated act of violence. The lawsuit alleges that reasonable hiring procedures exist for a reason, and that failing to follow those procedures created an unnecessary risk to the public.
Kherkher Garcia Partner, Omar Chawdhary, stated:
“Domino’s decision to hire a known violent criminal created a ticking time bomb for someone in Houston to be harmed.”
Domino’s has denied liability and has asked the court to dismiss the lawsuit before trial. The plaintiffs oppose that request, and a hearing on the company’s motion is scheduled for July 20, 2026.
Businesses that hire employees who regularly interact with the public have a responsibility to exercise reasonable care during the hiring process. Background checks, employment screening, and internal hiring procedures exist to identify potential safety risks before someone is placed in a position that could endanger others.
When employers ignore or misapply those safeguards, innocent people may suffer devastating consequences. While every case depends on its specific facts, negligent hiring claims arise when an employer knew, or reasonably should have known, that an applicant or employee posed an unreasonable risk of harm.
As for Mr. Mezayek, he hopes his story is a catalyst for change. In a statement to Chron, Mr. Mezayek said,
“I want to see policy changes and hope that this doesn’t happen to anyone else because of Domino’s failure to follow procedures and hire a known criminal.”
At Kherkher Garcia, we represent individuals and families whose lives have been changed by serious acts of negligence.
Whether a case involves negligent hiring, unsafe premises, commercial trucking accidents, refinery explosions, or defective products, our attorneys are committed to holding negligent parties accountable and pursuing justice for our clients.
We understand that litigation is about more than recovering compensation. It is also about helping clients find answers and encouraging safer practices that protect others in the future.
As this case progresses through the court system, we will continue to provide updates on significant developments.
We appreciate the support shown during yesterday’s press conference and remain committed to advocating for our clients every step of the way.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Connect with a Kherkher Garcia trial lawyer today to pursue maximum compensation for your injury.
