Woman says trucker hit her, tried to bribe her

CHARLESTON - A Gallia County, Ohio, woman has filed a suit against the driver of a tractor-trailer, claiming the driver collided with the vehicle she was driving, causing several injuries and then tried to bribe her to stop her from calling the police.

Joanna Adkins filed a suit Oct. 4 in Kanawha Circuit Court against James H. Bradley, a driver from Johnson City, Tenn., employed by Powell Construction Company.

Michael Voreh was also in the vehicle Adkins was driving and is named as a plaintiff in the suit.

According to the suit, on Oct. 5, 2005, Adkins and Voreh were riding in a 1998 Ford F-150 truck on Interstate 77 in Kanawha County. At the same time, Bradley was driving his tractor-trailer on the same road.

Adkins claims Bradley changed from the left lane to the right lane around mile marker 71 on the interstate, without first checking to make sure the lane was clear.

"The tractor-trailer operated by Bradley, collided with Adkins' vehicle multiple times before Bradley passed Adkins' vehicle," the suit says.

According to the suit, Adkins tried to swerve onto the right berm to avoid being hit, but Bradley still collided with her.

Adkins claims she followed Bradley for several miles, flashing her lights, before he stopped. She also says he refused to let her use his CB radio to report the crash and call law enforcement officers.

According to the suit, Bradley offered Adkins and Voreh a small amount of cash to avoid police involvement.

Adkins claims she sustained injuries to her back and neck, and a pre-existing injury was aggravated. Voreh also claims he experienced physical and mental pain and suffering.

According to the suit, Bradley failed to operate his tractor-trailer in a safe, reasonable and lawful manner.

In the eight-count suit, Adkins and Voreh seek compensatory and punitive damages from Bradley and Powell Construction Company.

Attorney James R. Henry is representing Adkins and Voreh. The case has been assigned to Judge Paul Zakaib.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-2118