Man claims intoxicated woman caused crash

An Orange County man claims he sustained back and neck injuries after an allegedly intoxicated driver struck his vehicle.

Holace Skeel filed a lawsuit Oct. 14 in Jefferson County District Court against Juanita Pevy and Terry Simpson.

In his complaint, Skeel alleges he was driving north in the 7600 block of Highway 69 on July 22 when Pevy failed to control her speed and struck the rear of Skeel's vehicle.

Following the collision, Pevy was arrested for driving while intoxicated, according to the complaint.

In addition to his back and neck injuries, Skeel incurred medical costs and lost the use of his vehicle, the suit states. He also lost his earning capacity; experienced mental anguish, physical pain, suffering, disability and physical impairment; and lost his enjoyment of life, the complaint says.

Skeel blames Pevy for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to maintain complete control of the vehicle, failed to exercise due care, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to timely apply her brakes and drove while intoxicated, among other negligent acts.

In addition to Pevy, Skeel names Simpson as a defendant. Pevy drove Simpson's vehicle at the time of the collision. Simpson negligently entrusted his vehicle to a driver he knew to be reckless, according to the complaint.

In his suit, Skeel seeks actual, punitive and exemplary damages, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest at the maximum rate allowed by law and other relief the court deems just.

Clay Dugas and Mike Jacobellis of Clay Dugas and Associates in Beaumont will be representing him.

Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. E191-203