An 18-year-old Texarkana woman accused of running into a man as he checked his mail in May is back in jail for violating the conditions of her $15,000 bond.
Angela Dawn Cox is charged with failure to stop and render aid for allegedly leaving the scene after striking Michael Gentry, 56, as he stood near his mailbox in the 2500 block of Farm to Market Road 559 in Bowie County, Texas, at 12:49 p.m. May 9. Gentry suffered the loss of a leg and other injuries as a result of the collision.
Angela Cox was released on bond shortly after her arrest in June. She was taken back into custody Thursday for violating the conditions of her bond. While court records do not reflect the exact nature of the violations, defendants are often ordered to refrain from the use of drugs and alcohol and are expected to abide by the law. Angela Cox is currently being held in the Bowie County jail.
Longview, Texas, attorney filed a civil lawsuit July 25 in Bowie County on Gentry’s behalf which names Angela Cox and her mother, Brenda Cox, as defendants. The suit accuses Angela Cox of being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol when she struck Gentry with a Ford F-150 truck owned by her mother.
“At the time of the wreck, Defendant Brenda Cox knew that her daughter, Defendant Angela Dawn Cox, was an active illegal drug user. As such, Defendant Brenda Cox knew that Defendant Angela Dawn Cox posed a serious risk of harm to other motorists, pedestrians, and property. Despite this knowledge, Defendant Brenda Cox allowed Defendant Angela Dawn Cox to operate her vehicle,” the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Gentry is seeking more than $1 million in damages from the Coxes as compensation for his amputated leg, medical expenses past and future, pain and suffering past and future, mental anguish past and future and physical impairment.
The Ford F-150 suspected of being involved in the hit-and-run was discovered by investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety in a local auto body repair shop the day after the crash. Brenda Cox was interviewed by investigators and it was learned that Angela Cox was driving the truck when the accident occurred. Angela Cox allegedly admitted to having hit Gentry’s mail box but denied being aware that she had injured a pedestrian.
Cox has been charged with failure to stop and render aid resulting in serious bodily injury. The third degree felony is punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Angela Cox’s criminal case is pending before 5th District Judge Bill Miller. Gentry’s civil suit against Brenda Cox and Angela Cox has been assigned to 202nd District Judge John Tidwell.
