Man says West Virginia Parkways Authority caused accident

CHARLESTON – A man is suing the West Virginia Parkways Authority after he claims one of its drivers caused an accident.

Joshua Thompson, an employee of WVPA, was also named as a defendant in the suit.

On Jan. 27, 2011, Thompson was the operator of a 2006 Sterling 10-wheel Dump Truck owned by WVPA and was operating the truck on Interstate-77 near Beckley, according to a complaint filed Jan. 23 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Richard Carlson claims he was the passenger in a vehicle also being driven on Interstate-77 when Thompson attempted to “pull through the cross-over in the center of the interstate” and struck the vehicle Carlson was in.

Thompson had a duty to properly operate the vehicle in a safe and prudent manner and with reasonable care and due regard for the public at large, according to the suit.

Carlson claims Thompson failed to maintain control of the vehicle; failed to give his full attention to the operation of the vehicle; operated the vehicle recklessly, negligently and without due regard; and violated West Virginia law.

As a result of Thompson’s negligent, willful, wanton and reckless actions and/or omissions, Carlson incurred medical expenses, suffered injuries, suffered mental stress and suffered a diminution of the ability to enjoy life, according to the suit.

Carlson is seeking compensatory damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. He is being represented by Dorwin J. Wolfe.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Tod J. Kaufman.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 13-C-142