Gladewater resident sues after head-on collision

MARSHALL-A Gladewater resident has filed a lawsuit after a truck collided head-on into this vehicle.

Roscoe Lockett filed suit against Pool Corp. (of Delaware), Penske Truck Leasing Co. and Orlando Ray Thomas on Aug. 23 in the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.

The accident occurred on Oct. 9, 2009, as Lockett was traveling on W. Marshall Avenue.

According to Lockett's complaint, defendant Thomas, operating a GMC panel truck, failed to control his speed and collided with a truck and trailer that had come to a stop, waiting to make a turn into a private drive. When Thomas hit the truck and trailer, he veered into traffic and collided head-on with Lockett's vehicle.

Thomas is accused of negligence for failing to keep a proper lookout, failing to yield the right of way, failing to turn the vehicle to avoid the collision, driving without regard for the safety and welfare of other people, driving recklessly, failing to control speed, failing to keep an assured clear distance and failing to properly and timely apply his brakes.

Defendant Penske Truck Leasing is accused of negligent entrustment of the panel truck to defendant Thomas. Lockett claims Penske should have known the driver was incompetent and reckless, creating an unreasonable risk of danger to other people and property.

The plaintiff is seeking damages for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment and disfigurement, loss of household services, interest and court costs.

Lockett is represented by M. Raymond Hatcher and Alan J. Robertson of Sloan, Bagley, Hatcher & Perry Law Firm in Longview.

U.S. District Judge T. John Ward is assigned to the case.

Case No. 2:10cv00308