Man Struck, Injured by Possibly Nude Driver on PCH Files Lawsuit

Originally posted at 10:21 a.m. March 31, 2014. Edited with new information. 

A man whose van was rear-ended while parked along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu is suing the other driver, claiming he suffered a brain injury and is entitled to compensatory and punitive damages.

James Colpas filed the negligence lawsuit March 24 in Los Angeles Superior Court against Hillary Safire, who could not be reached for immediate comment.

Colpas' attorney, Denis Delja, said he did not know if Safire is the actress and former model who appeared in the 1983 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

According to the complaint, Colpas was sitting in his Dodge Caravan on March 23, 2013, when the accident occurred.

"Colpas had just enjoyed watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean when Safire's SUV slammed into the rear of his van," according to the suit, which says the impact of the collision pushed Colpas' vehicle 25 feet and caused him to hit his head on the steering wheel.

Doctors later determined Colpas suffered brain and spinal injuries, as well as broken ribs, according to his court papers.

The complaint alleges that before the crash, a witness saw Safire driving on Trancas Canyon Road, get out of the vehicle while completely nude and run around her SUV, then get back inside and resume driving.

--City News Service