Tow truck driver was texting and driving, suit claims

A woman claims she suffered disability and disfigurement after a tow truck driver who was allegedly texting while driving struck the back of her vehicle.

LaFrondria Minor-Lockett filed a lawsuit Nov. 14 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Clent E. McCorkle and Clent’s Auto Sales doing business as Satisfied Towing.

In her complaint, Minor-Lockett claims she drove a 2012 Nissan Altima west on State Street at its intersection with 22^nd Street in East St. Louis on March 29 when McCorkle, who was driving a 2000 Ford F550 tow truck west on the same street, struck the back of Minor-Lockett’s vehicle.

In addition to her disability and disfigurement, Minor-Lockett endured pain and suffering, incurred medical costs and lost income, according to the complaint. She also lost her normal life, the suit states.

Minor-Lockett blames McCorkle for causing the collision, saying he negligently drove in excess of the posted speed limit, drove too fast, failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision, failed to drive attentively, failed to keep his vehicle under control, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to use ordinary care to avoid a collision and texted while driving.

In addition to McCorkle, Minor-Lockett names Satisfied Towing as a defendant because it owned the towing company for which McCorkle was working at the time of the incident.

In her complaint, Minor-Lockett seeks actual damages of more than $300,000, plus costs.

Kevin Boyne of Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-583.