Marshall University Basketball Player Files Federal Suit After Accident

A basketball player for Marshall University has filed a federal personal injury suit against a trucking company and one of its drivers, claiming an accident has impaired his basketball career.

According to the suit filed in U.S. District Court on February 11 by Octavius Spann, he sustained permanent injuries in an accident involving a truck driver for Dependable Rolloffs in Huntington, West Virginia.

The suit claims that Spann was driving north when the southbound vehicle driven by Ernest Webb collided with his vehicle.

Spann claims the accident caused him to suffer physical and mental pain, incur medical expenses, lose wages, and lose future income. He also claims to have experienced lost ability to enjoy life and lost ability to fully participate on the Thundering Herd basketball team.

Spann, who is originally from the Atlanta, Georgia area, transferred from Georgetown to Marshall after the 2006-2007. NCAA transfer rules required that he sit out the 2007-2008 season. His brother, Emmanuel Spann, was a member of Marshall’s football team.

During the season that just ended for Marshall, Spann started two of the 29 games in which he made an appearance. He averaged 12.6 minutes, 2.6 points, and 2.4 rebounds per game.

Spann seeks unspecified damages, plus costs.