Defendant turned plaintiff will present her case

An automobile collision case where a former defendant is now the plaintiff will go to trial this week.

As previously reported, Donna Ward filed a personal injury suit on June 16, 2009, in Jefferson County District Court against Eclipse Trucking, Zarsky Lumbar Co. Inc., Alejandro Villegas, Revilino Gonzales, Rosalba Gonzales and Melissa Daniels Stapleton as representative of the estate of Peter Stapleton.

A court official told the Southeast Record that Ward settled with the defendants and that the trial will focus on Melissa Stapleton's cross claim against the other defendants.

Court records that the collision occurred on March 22, 2009, on Interstate 10 near Vidor. Villegas, who was allegedly driving fast, made an unsafe lane change and took faulty evasive action, causing him to collide with Ward.

Peter Stapleton was also involved in the collision, according to the complaint.

At the time of the collision, Villegas was working for Eclipse Trucking, Zarsky Lumbar and Rivelino and Rosalba Gonzales, the complaint says.

Attorney Edward Fisher represents Stapleton.

Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, is presiding over the case.

Case No. D184-302