By TERRIE MORGAN-BESECKER (STAFF WRITER) Published: December 31, 2013
A Scranton man filed a lawsuit against a woman he claims was drunk and texting when she slammed into the rear of his car.
Kevin Lepka, of Railroad Avenue, claims he suffered serious neck and back injuries after his 1992 Jeep was struck by a 1995 Pontiac Grand Am driven by Michelle Marko, of Garfield Street, Nanticoke, on Dec. 31, 2011.
According to the lawsuit filed in Luzerne County Court by attorney Michael Pisanchyn of Scranton:
Mr. Lepka was driving in Plains Twp., Luzerne County when Ms. Marko, who was distracted while texting on her cellphone, struck the rear of his vehicle. The impact caused injuries to Mr. Lepka’s head and spine, forcing him to spend money on medical care and lose income because he was unable to work.
The suit also alleges Ms. Marko was intoxicated. Court records from Luzerne County show she was charged with drunken driving and careless driving in connection with the crash. She pleaded guilty in August 2012 and was sentenced to six months probation under the county’s Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program.
