MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A Madison County woman has filed suit against the driver who she claims failed to stop at a red light while distracted by her cell phone or car radio, causing a collision.

Sherian Sanders claims she was driving south on Stanley Road at its intersection with Illinois Route 140 in Madison County on Nov. 12, 2008.

"After stopping for a red light, Plaintiff proceeded into the intersection when her light turned green," the suit filed Aug. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court states. "At that time, her vehicle was struck by another vehicle being driven by Defendant, Rebecca Verity."

At the time of the collision, Verity was driving a vehicle owned by defendant Tina Sheffer, according to the complaint.

Because of the collision, Sanders suffered injuries to her neck and back and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint. In addition, she has difficulty holding gainful employment, resulting in wage loss, and her 2003 Ford Taurus was damaged, the complaint says.

Sanders blames Verity for causing the collision, saying Verity negligently drove too fast, failed to maintain control of her vehicle, failed to bring her vehicle to a stop at a red light, allowed herself to become distracted by a cell phone or car radio and failed to monitor the flow of traffic.

Sheffer negligently entrusted her vehicle to a driver who she knew could not safely operate a vehicle and allowed her vehicle to be operated by a driver who she knew would be frequently distracted, according to the complaint.

In her two-count complaint, Sanders is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Sanders will be represented by Charles W. Armbruster III and Michael T. Blotevogel of Armbruster, Dripps, Winterschiedt and Blotevogel in Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-852.