Plaintiff alleges reckless driving negligence by state department during prison transport

A Texas inmate has filed a lawsuit against the state’s Department of Criminal Justice, alleging severe negligence and constitutional violations during a prison transport. On February 20, 2026, Gary Goff lodged his complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and two unnamed officers referred to as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2.

The incident at the heart of this case occurred on February 20, 2024, when Goff was being transported from TDCJ’s Holliday Transfer Facility in Huntsville to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for scheduled mandible surgery. During this journey, Officer John Doe 1 allegedly drove recklessly without securing Goff with a seatbelt or properly applying restraints. The vehicle abruptly stopped to avoid an obstacle, causing Goff to crash into the metal cage inside the vehicle due to improper restraint. Despite suffering visible injuries including head trauma and concussion symptoms, Goff claims he was denied immediate medical attention by both officers for over an hour.

Goff’s lawsuit cites multiple legal grounds including violations under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 for deprivation of rights secured by the U.S. Constitution, specifically under the Eighth Amendment which protects against cruel and unusual punishment. He also references previous similar incidents involving TDCJ employees that suggest a pattern of neglectful behavior regarding inmate safety during transport. In particular, past cases like Wilbert v. Quarterman (2009) and Rogers v. Boatright (2013) highlight ongoing issues with TDCJ’s policies or lack thereof concerning inmate transport safety.

In his plea for justice, Goff seeks several forms of relief from the court: a declaration that TDCJ’s practices are unlawful; compensatory damages for physical injuries and emotional distress; punitive damages to deter future misconduct; attorney fees; and injunctive relief requiring TDCJ to implement corrective measures such as supervisory discipline for personnel mishandling inmates’ medical needs and federal monitoring to ensure compliance with legal standards.

Representing Gary Goff are attorneys Jay D. Ellwanger and Brian Pounds from Ellwanger Henderson LLLP based in Austin, Texas. The case is presided over by judges from the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas under Case ID No. 4:26-cv-1427.