Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged DUI Manslaughter

The girlfriend of a man who was fatally struck by a pickup as he took out the garbage is suing the truck's driver on a negligence claim.

Darrell Hank Newberry, 25, was killed Oct. 10, 2007, as he stood on the driveway of his Elgin Boulevard home. He was the father of three small children.

Arrested on a charge of DUI manslaughter was James Morris, 21, of Weeki Wachee. Morris' attorney is arguing to exclude the quantity of the drugs reportedly found in Morris' system at the time of the crash. Morris is scheduled for trial Feb. 2.

The lawsuit filed Wednesday by Sherri Collins alleges auto negligence on Morris' part as the driver. It seeks unspecified damages under the Florida Wrongful Death Act to cover tangible costs such as funeral expenses and compensation for loss of companionship.