Woman claims severe injuries from crash with unlicensed driver

A Jefferson County woman claims sustained severe injuries to her head, neck and back after an unlicensed driver struck her vehicle.

Brenda Clark claims she was sitting in her 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse in the turning lane of the 5800 block of Ninth Street on May 15 with her left blinker activated and waiting for traffic to clear when defendant Leonardo Perez, who was driving a 1991 Lincoln Towncar south on the same street, lost control of his vehicle, veered into the turn lane and crashed into the rear of Clark's vehicle.

"Immediately upon impact, Plaintiff was knocked out and did not regain consciousness until hours later," the suit filed March 19 in Jefferson County District Court states. "Plaintiff received severe head injuries and was hospitalized for five days."

In addition to her injuries, Brenda Clark has experienced a radiation of pain, numbness and tingling in her back; sustained physical pain, mental anguish, permanent bodily impairment and physical disfigurement; and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint.

Gregory Clark has suffered watching his wife suffer and has lost his wife's affection, solace, comfort, companionship, society, assurance and sexual relationship, the complaint says.

The Clarks blame Perez for causing the accident, saying he negligently entered the left turn lane when it was not safe to do so, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to maintain his vehicle in a single lane of traffic, drove too fast, failed to turn his vehicle to either the left or the right to avoid a collision, failed to take proper evasive action to avoid a collision and drove inattentively. In addition, he failed to keep a proper lookout, according to the complaint.

In addition to Perez, the Clarks name Maria Isabel Guill as a defendant, saying she should never have allowed Perez to operate her vehicle because he was an unlicensed driver and irresponsible and inexperienced.

The Clarks seek a judgment of no more than $400,000, plus pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Ronald J. Schaeffer of Lufkin will be representing them.

The case has been assigned to Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: A186-334.