North Side family seriously injured in house explosion files lawsuit against CPS Energy

BEXAR COUNTY, Texas –The North Side family who lived in the first home that exploded and went up in flames on Preston Hollow Drive final month is utilizing CPS Energy.

According to the lawsuit obtained by KSAT Investigates on Friday, Timothy Nowell and Kimberly Nowell — in addition to their little one — are listed as plaintiffs in the swimsuit.

The family is being represented by Lyons & Simmons, LLP, a Dallas-based legislation agency.

Lyons & Simmons, LLP is identical agency that took on the CPS Energy lawsuit filed by an East Side family injured in a 2021 house explosion. Last 12 months, a Bexar County jury ordered CPS Energy to pay the family $109 million in damages.

A CPS Energy spokesperson later stated the utility solely paid the East Side family $3 million.

Days after rescinding their initial lawsuitMayte Terrie Reeves and Jose Ochoa, who have been injured in the second April 21 house explosion on Preston Hollow Drive, refiled their suit on Tuesday and employed Lyons & Simmons, LLP to signify them.

In addition to in search of greater than $1 million every in damages, the swimsuit states the Nowell family can also be requesting a jury trial.

What’s in the lawsuit

Similar to Reeves and Ochoa lawsuit filed earlier this week, the agency representing the Nowell family accuses CPS Energy of being negligent by “failing to hire, equip, and train competent and skilled workers” to securely function its pure gasoline system across the residence.

Attorneys additionally accused the utility of gross negligence on account of CPS Energy having “current, subjective awareness of the risk but proceeded with a conscious indifference to the rights, safety, or welfare of others.”

“Like those that preceded and followed it, this Explosion was entirely preventable as it was the result of the same root cause: CPS Energy’s poorly maintained, leaking, and deteriorating natural gas system, a dangerous problem of which CPS Energy is well aware,” the swimsuit alleges.

Lyons & Simmons, LLP additionally referred to the second house explosion on Preston Hollow Drive, which occurred roughly two-and-a-half hours after the explosion on the Nowell family’s residence.

“These two events, connected by both time and proximity, demonstrate the severe and ongoing danger CPS Energy’s defective gas distribution system poses to the citizens of San Antonio, a danger that will persist unless and until CPS Energy acts,” the swimsuit states.

Reeves and Ochoa, who have been injured in the second house explosion, remained hospitalized at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC).

family background

Timothy Nowell is a pastor at Wayside Chapel, a North Side church situated in the 1700 block of Northwest Loop 410. His spouse, Kimberly, teaches math at MacArthur High School in North East ISD.

According to Wayside ChapelNowell is a “student pastor” who has served in that ministry for greater than 17 years.

Jason Uptmore, the church’s lead pastor, launched a press release to KSAT someday after the explosions.

“We are grateful that Tim, Kim, and Ali (the couple’s daughter) are stable,” Uptmore stated, in half. “Tim and his family are deeply woven into the fabric of who we are as a church. We recognize that the road ahead will be long, but we are committed to walking with them.”

The couple’s teenage daughter additionally attends MacArthur High School, in response to an April 22 letter despatched to MacArthur High School dad and mom and guardians.

“I have already met with our staff to inform them of this tragic situation,” MacArthur High School Principal Joaquin Hernandez wrote in the letter obtained by KSAT. “Additionally, Ms. Nowell’s classes are being supported with the assistance of our counselors and administrative team. Our priority is to ensure students have immediate access to support.”

As of Friday, Timothy Nowell and Kimberly Nowell stay in vital situation at BAMC.

More latest protection of this story on KSAT: