Suit involving Belleville rear-end accident blames allegedly intoxicated driver

An allegedly intoxicated driver is being blamed for running a stop sign and causing a rear-end collision, causing a woman to sustain multiple injuries.

Mindy L. Schaeffer filed a lawsuit May 27 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Steven E. Huskey.

In her complaint, Schaeffer claims she was driving east on South Belt East near its intersection with South Church Street in Belleville on Jan. 5, 2013. At the same time, Huskey was driving south on South Church Street when he disobeyed a stop sign, according to the complaint. He then proceeded to rear-end Schaeffer’s vehicle, the suit states.

Due to the collision, Schaeffer suffered right flank and back pain, endured a sprain and strain to her lumbar spine and went through rehabilitation, the complaint says. She also claims she suffered from lumbosacral spondylosis, has trouble sleeping, endured pain of her body and mind, incurred medical costs and has been unable to perform her normal activities. In addition, she lost wages and suffered disability, according to the complaint.

Schaeffer blames Huskey for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep a careful lookout, failed to obey the stop sign, drove under the influence of drugs or alcohol, drove under a revoked driver’s license, failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision and failed to warn prior to impact, among other negligent actions.

Schaeffer is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just. She is being represented by Deborah K. Besserman of Roth Law Offices in Granite City.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-349.