Man sues power company over crash with truck

GALVESTON - Galveston County resident Cedric Spurlock claims he was involved in a two-vehicle accident with a Texas-New Mexico Power Co. employee.

According to court documents filed Nov. 16 in Galveston County District Court, Santa Fe resident Dean Bertrand struck Spurlock's vehicle on July 29 as Spurlock backed out of his driveway.

PNM Resources Inc. joins TNMPC as a defendant since it owns the red 2005 Ford F250 pickup truck which supposedly caused the collision.

According to the original petition, Spurlock yielded to the defendants' truck once and then proceeded to reverse onto the street when the truck hit him.

"The defendant Mr. Bertrand was reversing the pickup in the wrong lane of traffic at an unsafe speed while looking out of the driver's side window," the suit says.

Police cited Bertrand for an unsafe start from a parked position.

"Mr. Bertrand admitted to the reporting officer and Mr. Spurlock that he had only checked his driver's side mirror while backing up the pickup truck."

Spurlock claims to have sustained injuries to his left shoulder, lower back and neck, stating he went to two chiropractors.

He adds the pain in his lower back "makes working more difficult."

Consequently, the complainant seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.

Spurlock is represented by The Cartwright Law Firm.

Galveston County 405th District Court Judge Wayne Mallia is presiding over the case.

Case No. 11-cv-1794