Woman sues driver over man's death

A Jasper County woman blames a Hardin County woman for causing an accident which killed her daughter's father.

Brandi Greer, as the next friend of Zoe Jane Chapman, filed a lawsuit Sept. 14 in Jefferson County District Court against Heather Swor.

Greer claims Michael Slay Chapman accepted a ride home from Swor, his co-worker,
on Nov. 27, 2009, when Swor got into an accident.

"As Defendant was driving Northbound on North Main Street in Lumberton, Texas, a second vehicle was traveling Southbound on North Main Street," the suit states. "This second vehicle left the Southbound lane and entered the Northbound lane, at which time Defendant failed to recognize the imminent danger and failed to avoid a collision with the second vehicle."

As a result of the accident, Michael Chapman died, according to the complaint.

Because of her father's death, Zoe Chapman has lost his companionship and society, suffered pecuniary losses, experienced mental anguish and lost inheritance, the complaint says.

In her complaint, Greer accuses Swor of causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to timely apply her brakes, failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to maintain proper control of her vehicle and failed to turn to avoid a collision, the suit states.

Greer seeks an unspecified judgment, plus pre- and post-judgment interest at the maximum rate allowed by law, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Scot G. Doyen and Philip Robert Brinson of Doyen Sebesta in Houston will be representing her.

The case has been assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: B188-271