Sour Lake man sued after rear-end crash

A Bart resident is suing a Sour Lake man after getting rear-ended.

Lucky Acker filed a lawsuit Oct. 12 in Jefferson County District Court against Joel Rooney.

Acker claims he drove a 2000 Nissan Quest van in the 7400 block of Highway 105 in Beaumont on Oct. 14, 2008, when he stopped for a red light.

Suddenly, Rooney, who drove a 1999 Ford F250 pickup in the same direction, failed to stop and violently struck the rear of Acker's vehicle, according to the complaint.

Because of the accident, Acker experienced physical pain, suffering, disfigurement and mental anguish and lost his physical capacity and his wage earning capacity, the suit states. In addition, he incurred medical costs, the complaint says.

Acker blames Rooney for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to maintain attention, rear-ended Acker's vehicle, failed to properly apply his brakes, failed to avoid the collision and failed to control his speed.

In his complaint, Acker is seeking an unspecified judgment, plus interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Darryl M. Phillips, William R. Edwards and William R. Edwards III of The Cochran Law Firm in Houston will be representing him.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: D188-589