MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Two women claim they and their children sustained injuries when a driver lost control of his vehicle.

Pekeita Murphy and Vivian Anderson filed a lawsuit Jan. 27 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against James L. Von Brecht.

In their complaint, Murphy and Anderson allege Pekeita Murphy and two minor children, Andre Miller and Destyne Anderson, were riding in a 1999 Ford Taurus, which was heading west on Foley Drive. The Taurus stopped at a light at the intersection with Highway 157 in Centreville on May 20 when Von Brecht, who was driving a 2005 PT Cruiser east on Foley, lost control of his vehicle and struck one automobile, then crashed into the Taurus, according to the complaint.

Because of the accident, Pekeita Murphy sustained head, neck, shoulder, right knee, arm and leg injuries while Andre Murphy experienced neck, head, back and right and left leg injuries, the suit states. Destyne Anderson suffered neck, head and back injuries, the complaint says.

Pekeita Murphy and Vivian Anderson claim Murphy and their minor children suffered pain and mental anguish, incurred a disability and lost their normal lives. Both women say they incurred medical costs. Pekeita Murphy also missed numerous working days following the collision, the complaint says.

They blame Von Brecht for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to take evasive action to avoid an accident, failed to maintain a proper lookout and failed to stop at a traffic control device.

In their four-count complaint, Pekeita Murphy and Vivian Anderson seek a judgment of more than $60,000 but less than $80,000, plus a reimbursement for medical bills and court costs.

Steven E. Katzman of Katzman and Sugden in Belleville will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-53.