Man names food service company in federal wreck suit

A Smith County man is suing over claims he was injured in a collision when a tractor pulling a semitrailer allegedly made an illegal turn across his lane.

Jerry Timothy Mayes filed a lawsuit Oct. 24 in the Tyler Division of the Eastern District of Texas against Christopher Lynn Simpson and Doerle Food Services, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Mayes was driving northbound in the outside lane of Interstate 69 near Bullard on Aug. 27, 2013, when Simpson, who was driving an International Harvester tractor pulling a semitrailer in the inside lane through his employment with Doerle, made a right turn into a private drive from the inside lane, in front of the plaintiff, causing a collision. Mayes says he sustained substantial injuries. Simpson is accused of negligence and negligence per se, and Doerle is sued pursuant to respondeat superior.

Mayes seeks more than $75,000 in damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, interest and costs of court. He is represented by attorney David E. Dobbs of Dobbs & Tittle in Tyler.

Tyler Division of the Eastern District of Texas case number: 6:14-CV-00811-JDL