Santa Fe woman sues over 2010 two-vehicle wreck in Hitchcock

GALVESTON - A Santa Fe woman claims an employee with Speedy Transport Services Inc. sped into her vehicle as she driving through Hitchcock two years ago, recent court documents say.

Lisa Sweeney's lawsuit, filed Oct. 17 in Galveston County Court at Law No. 3, states that Rosharon resident Donald Wayne Helms was on the clock for Speedy Transport Services on Oct. 20, 2010, when he reportedly rear-ended the plaintiff.

The suit shows Sweeney applied her brakes in response to the vehicle in front of her slowing down for traffic in the 8000 block of Highway 6 prior to the events in question.

According to the original petition, Helms, who was driving a 2000 Freightliner truck, then "slammed" in the back of the complainant's vehicle.

Sweeney adds the alleged accident inflicted "serious and disabling" injuries upon her.

Helms is faulted for:

• Failing to maintain a proper lookout;

• Failing to control his speed;

• Failing to apply his brakes; and

• Failing to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

His employer and its proprietor, Tom Lopez, are also defendants since they hired and retained the driver as well as negligently entrusted a company-owned vehicle to him.

Consequently, Sweeney seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.

She is represented by attorney E.A. "Trey" Apffel III with the Apffel Law Firm in League City.

Galveston County Court at Law No. 3 Judge Christopher Dupuy is presiding over the case.

Cause No. 68,548