A family is suing a Washington state-based automotive company doing business in Texas, alleging wrongful death of their husband/father/son in a violent highway accident.
Lisa Parker, along with Jo Ann Starkey and Jerry Starkey of Anderson County, filed a lawsuit Aug. 7 individually, on behalf of the estate of Geoffrey Woodrow Parker, and as next friend of minor children Evelynne Rose Parker and Slade Christopher Parker against Paccar Inc. in the Lufkin Division of the Eastern District of Texas, alleging vehicular negligence and liability in a fatal 2014 collision.
According to the complaint, on April 14, 2014, Geoffrey Parker was driving a 2012 Peterbilt vehicle manufactured by Paccar southbound on U.S. Highway 69 in Angelina County when a bull walked in his travel lane.
The complaint states Parker’s vehicle struck the bull, causing the truck and trailer portions to jackknife and separate. The suit says the truck rolled onto the cab roof, severely crushing the compartment and killing Parker. The lawsuit states Parker was seated with proper restraints but suffocated to death when the cab’s survival space experience “severe intrusion.”
The surviving family members say the cab design and manufacture were insufficient. The suit alleges negligence, gross negligence, strict liability and defective manufacture due to an inadequate rollover protection system. The plaintiffs allege pecuniary loss, emotional distress and loss of companionship.
The plaintiffs seek up to $100,000 in compensation for punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees, expenses and costs. They are represented by attorneys J. Gregory Marks and Michael Guajardo of Guajardo & Marks in Dallas, and Jefferson B. Davis of Nacogdoches.
Lufkin Division of the Eastern District of Texas case number 9:15-cv-00121.