Former HPD Officer Involved in Fatal Crash Sued

RICHMOND, TX — James Combs, 33, from Richmond is not only facing a charge of intoxicated manslaughter for the death of Brain Manning, 36, also from Richmond, but now Manning's family has filed suit against the former HPD officer.

The suit, which was filed on Aug. 25, names both Combs and the employees of Show Palace Gentleman's Club as defendants.

Court documents allege that the strip club employees over-served Combs the night of the collision that took Manning's life.

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A problem with the lawsuit is that Show Palace is a BYOB, set up joint. Meaning that employees don't actually serve alcohol.

Early on the morning of Aug. 12, Combs was allegedly driving west on Beechnut Street between F.M. 1464 and Westmoor Drive, about two miles south of George Bush High School in the Mission Bend area.

At around 6:30 a.m., Combs' Tahoe allegedly drifted across the double yellow, dividing line and plowed into Manning's Corvette head on. Manning died at the scene.

Fort Bend County Sheriff's Deputies reportedly smelled alcohol on Combs and asked him to take a field sobriety test. When Combs refused the deputies got a warrant for a blood draw.

Combs was taken to Memorial Hermann — Katy for the blood work and for treatment of his injuries. The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office got the results of the blood test back on Tuesday, Aug. 16.

When the test was applied at the hospital, Combs allegedly had a BAC of 0.17, or about twice the legal limit. Combs was arrested and posted a $100,000 bond.

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