MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A St. Clair County woman claims she and her minor son suffered various injuries after a driver rear-ended the vehicle in which they rode.

Julie H. Abernathy and Zachary Wycoff filed a lawsuit Feb. 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Chelsea J. Schoenbach.

In their complaint, Abernathy and Wycoff allege Abernathy stopped her 1999 Chevrolet Blazer at the intersection of Frank Scott Parkway West and Hickory Manor in Belleville on Dec. 11, 2008. At the same time, Schoenbach, who was driving a vehicle behind Abernathy, failed to control her speed and rear-ended the Chevrolet, according to the complaint.

Because of the collision, Abernathy and Wycoff sustained multiple injuries, experienced great pain and mental anguish and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

They blame Schoenbach for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to exercise due care, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to reduce her speed to avoid a collision, failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision and failed to keep her vehicle under proper control, the complaint says.

At the time of the collision, Wycoff was a minor. However, on Oct. 28, 2011, he turned 18 and is now a plaintiff in the suit with his mother.

In their three-count complaint, Abernathy and Wycoff seek a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Alan G. Pirtle of Becker, Paulson, Hoerner and Thompson in Belleville will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-89.