Crash between Fed Ex van, motorcycle subject of lawsuit

A Jefferson County man claims he sustained injuries after a driver forced him to lay his motorcycle on pavement while he attempted to drive through an intersection.

Ryan LeBlanc filed a lawsuit Jan. 12 in Jefferson County District Court against Federal Express Corp. and Victor Lynn Hakanson.

LeBlanc claims he drove his 2007 Honda motorcycle east on Eighth Street in Port Neches on Aug. 28, 2009, when Hakanson, who drove a 2000 Utilimaster utility van owned by Federal Express south on Gulf Street, failed to yield the right-of-way to LeBlanc.

According to the complaint, Hakanson stopped at a stop sign, then proceeded into the intersection, but failed to do so at a safe moment.

"Plaintiff, in attempting to avoid a collision with Defendant, laid his motorcycle down on the pavement, sliding along the roadway approximately 21' before coming to a rest," the suit states.

Because of the accident, LeBlanc suffered severe bodily injuries, causing his mental and physical condition to deteriorate, the complaint says. In addition, LeBlanc claims he suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, incurred medical costs and lost earnings and his earning capacity.

LeBlanc blames Hakanson for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to drive in a safe manner, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to turn to the right or left to avoid a collision, failed to timely apply his brakes, failed to stop or yield to avoid a collision, failed to proceed into the intersection only when it was safe to do so and failed to yield the right-of-way to LeBlanc.

In his complaint, LeBlanc seeks an unspecified judgment, plus interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Gordon D. Friesz of McPherson, Hughes, Bradley, Wimberley, Steele and Chatelain in Port Arthur will be representing him.

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

Case No. D189-149