Two Swansea mothers are suing a driver and vehicle owner for allegedly causing a collision with their children in the car.
Tasha Searcy, individually and as mother and next friend of minors Dejah Campbell and Laila Searcy, and Tan Gates, individually and as mother and next friend of minor Jazmynn Gates, filed a lawsuit on May 18 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Chartnae Moore of Belleville and Deondray Clark of East St. Louis, alleging negligence in a 2013 motor vehicle accident.
According to the complaint, on June 19, 2013, Tasha Searcy was driving her vehicle north on state Highway 157 at the intersection of Lake Drive in Centreville, with all plaintiffs as passengers, when defendant Moore, operating a vehicle belonging to Clark, allegedly failed to stop at a red light and collided with Searcy's vehicle.
The suit states that Moore failed to reduce her speed, keep a proper lookout, obey a traffic signal, or swerve to avoid collision. The plaintiffs cite Clark with negligent entrustment of his vehicle to Moore, stating he should have known Moore was an incompetent driver and that the car would be used in a criminal enterprise leading to reckless driving.
Searcy and Gates allege damage to the back and shoulders, extremities and soft tissues for themselves and their children; medical expenses; diminished capacity to perform everyday tasks; and lost income and disability.
The plaintiffs seek damages in excess of $50,000, plus attorney fees and costs. They are represented by attorney Nathan Lanter of Nelson & Nelson in Belleville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-294.