(AP) — The family of a woman killed in a crash with a Nebraska prison inmate has filed a legal claim against the state, saying officials need to be held responsible for theprisoner who was allowed to drive a state-owned van.

The claim is the first step toward a lawsuit for the death of Joyce R. Meeks, of Lincoln. Meeks was killed on June 25 when a van driven by inmate Jeremy Dobbe plowed into her minivan.

Meeks’ son, Martell Buchanan, says his family wants answers about why officials let Dobbe drive other inmates to and from work-release assignments. Dobbe is serving time for possession of methamphetamine, and has past convictions for DUI and reckless driving.

The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services has allowed inmates to drive the vans since 1985.