U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 2007

Sheppard v. Roberts

Sheppard v. Roberts
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit · Decided June 28, 2007 · Reavley, Garza, Benavides
240 F. App'x 638

Sheppard v. Roberts

Opinion

PER CURIAM: *

Plaintiff-Appellant Billy Sheppard (“Sheppard”) appeals the district court’s dismissal of his § 1983 action concerning injuries incurred when a prison vehicle carrying Sheppard was involved in an accident. We affirm.

The district court sua sponte dismissed Sheppard’s suit for failure to exhaust administrative remedies under the Prison Litigation Reform Act., 42 U.S.C. § 1997e(a). He has since fulfilled the administrative remedy review but the district court’s decision must be affirmed on other grounds. See Sojourner T v. Edwards, 974 F.2d 27, 30 (5th Cir. 1992). In this case, Sheppard alleges, at most, negligence on the part of the vehicle driver and the Commissioner for hiring the driver. “[T]he Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is simply not implicated by a negligent act of an official causing unintended loss of or injury to life, liberty, or property.” Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 328, 106 S.Ct. 662, 663, 88 L.Ed.2d 662 (1986). Thus, Sheppard has not stated a claim for a constitutional violation under § 1983. We affirm the dismissal with prejudice.

AFFIRMED.

*

Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the Court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.

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