A Centre, Alabama woman has filed a lawsuit against Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader and a sheriff’s office employee, alleging she suffered serious injuries when a prisoner transport van crashed in July 2025.

According to the lawsuit, Charity Rodriguez Perez was being transported as a handcuffed detainee in a Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office vehicle on July 25, 2025.

The complaint says Perez was riding in the rear of a 2007 Ford Econoline van as it traveled south on Gore-Subligna Road near Ballenger Road. The lawsuit alleges Caden Anthony Wofford was driving when the van left the roadway, entered a ditch and struck a concrete culvert.

Perez’s attorneys allege the detainee area of the vehicle did not have seatbelts or another passenger restraint and that Perez was not provided a seatbelt. According to the filing, she was handcuffed and shackled at the time of the crash.

The lawsuit alleges Perez suffered injuries to her head, right hip, left knee and chest, along with psychological injuries. Her attorneys say she has incurred more than $38,642 in medical expenses and could face additional medical costs.

The complaint accuses Wofford of negligence, including failing to maintain his lane, failing to exercise extraordinary diligence to protect passengers and driving without due caution.

The lawsuit also names Sheriff Schrader in his official capacity. Perez alleges Schrader owned or leased the vehicle and that Wofford was operating it with the sheriff’s knowledge, permission, consent and authority. The complaint further alleges Schrader was negligent in hiring, training, supervising and retaining Wofford.

Before filing the lawsuit, Perez’s attorneys sent an ante litem notice to Schrader and Chattooga County officials on December 26, 2025. According to documents included with the lawsuit, a separate notice was sent to Chattooga County Sole Commissioner Andy Allen.

The filing says the defendants made a settlement offer on May 1, 2026, but Perez rejected the offer, alleging it was substantially less than her medical bills.

Perez is seeking at least $38,642.05 in special damages, along with general damages to be determined by a jury, additional relief and reimbursement of litigation expenses and attorney’s fees.

The lawsuit was filed August 25 in Chattooga County State Court, with the complaint filed August 26, and Perez has demanded a jury trial.

The allegations contained in the lawsuit have not been proven in court, and the filing does not constitute a finding of liability against Sheriff Schrader, Wofford or the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office.