Collision victim’s survivors seek restraining order against Lamar, Johnny's Towing

BEAUMONT -- A family brought legal action against two entities for alleged wrongful death in 2015.

Debra Gillis, Derrick Gillis, Daniel Gillis and Denise Vaughn, of Galveston, filed a complaint against Johnny’s Wrecker Service, doing business as Johnny’s Towing and Recovery Inc., of Port Neches, and Lamar State College-Port Arthur on May 11 in Jefferson County District Court, requesting court action to preserve evidence in a May 2015 incident.

The plaintiffs are the surviving children and spouse of the late Danny “Dan” Gillis. The lawsuit states that the family is filing a motion for a temporary restraining order to preserve evidence in Dan Gillis’ death. Lamar State College-Port Arthur was the decedent’s employer.

The lawsuit states that Dan Gillis was fatally injured on May 6 while operating a JLG lift being delivered by Johnny’s Wrecker Service. The plaintiffs state that the defendant may be motivated to tamper with evidence such as equipment involved in the accident.

The family requests the court to issue a temporary restraining order and a temporary injunction following a hearing to prohibit the defendants from directly or indirectly altering physical support or proof of their case. The plaintiffs also seek to depose a witness in the case, an employee driving the vehicle in question.

The plaintiffs seek to preserve statements, observations, photographs and records pertaining to the incident.

The family is represented by John Werner of Reaud, Morgan and Quinn in Beaumont.

Jefferson County District Court case No. A-197095.