Federal court to hear falling log suit

GALVESTON - A lawsuit resulting from a death apparently caused by a log falling from a sand dune has been transferred to federal court, recent court records show. 

Galveston County is the target of litigation arising from the Feb. 9, 2012, death of Lashaun Ray Lovejoy Huff.

The county submitted a notice of removal Dec. 20 to the Southern District of Texas, Galveston Division.

Former Texas residents Ashley Huff, Amanda Marsh and Robert Marsh claim the county is to blame for the falling log which killed Lashaun Huff and injured two of his companions on Crystal Beach.

The November 2012 suit states that the victims were walking east along the sand dunes near South Monkhouse Road, and just as they passed a large log that was laying on top one of the dunes, the sand underneath the 40-foot log caved in and caused it to shift and roll on top of them.

According to the original petition, the rolling log instantly killed Lashaun Huff while it pinned Robert Marsh’s arm and trapped Heather Davis face down in the sand.

Robert Marsh and Heather Davis apparently suffered nerve damage and were hospitalized.

Meanwhile, the county entered its original answer Dec. 17, citing sovereign immunity as a defense.

Attorney Barry Willey with the county's legal department is the defendant's lead counsel.

Case No. 12-CV-2637