Lewis v. D.O. Craig et al

SAMUEL J. LEWIS,
Plaintiff,
vs.
D.O. CRAIG, et al.,
Defendants.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON DIVISION
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§ 	CIVIL ACTION NO. H-26-632
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MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Plaintiff Samuel J. Lewis was previously an inmate at the Harris County Jail.
In January 2026, he filed a civil-rights complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, alleging
that he was injured when he was a passenger in a Jail transport bus that was involved
in an auto accident. (Dkt. 1). He proceeds here prose and informa pauperis.
On March 3, 2026, the Court ordered Lewis to provide a more definite
statement of his claims. (Dkt. 11 ). The order set out questions for Lewis to answer
about the accident and his alleged injuries, and it required Lewis to file his response
within thirty days. 	(Id.). 	After Lewis filed a change of address with the Court, the
order was remailed to him at his new address on March 30, 2026. 	(Dkts. 12, 13).
Lewis has failed to comply with the order, and his time to do so has now expired.
Lewis's failure to pursue this action forces the Court to conclude that he lacks
due diligence. Therefore, under the inherent powers necessarily vested in a court to
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United States District Court
Southern District of Texas
ENTERED
May 09, 2026
Nathan Ochsner, Clerk
Case 4:26-cv-00632 Document 14 Filed 05/07/26 in TXSD Page 1 of 2

manage its own affairs, the Court determines that dismissal for want of prosecution
is appropriate. See FED. R. CIV. P. 41(b); Larson v. Scott, 157 F.3d 1030, 1031 (5th
Cir. 1998) (noting that a district court may sua sponte dismiss an action for failure
to prosecute or to comply with any court order).
Accordingly, the Court ORDERS as follows:
1. 	Lewis's 	civil-rights 	action, 	(Dkt. 	1), 	ts 	DISMISSED 	without
prejudice for want of prosecution.
2. 	Any pending motions are DENIED as moot.
3. 	Lewis is advised that upon a showing of good cause for failing to
comply with the Court's March 3 Order, relief from this Order may be granted under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 60(b ). 	Any motion under Rule 60(b) must be
accompanied 	by Lewis's 	response 	to 	the 	March 	3 Order for 	More 	Definite
Statement.
The Clerk will provide a copy of this Order to the plaintiff.
SIGNED at Houston, Texas on ----Pry-·	--""''___;;_:'c..___7	___., 2026.
DAVID HITTNER
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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