Jaw injuries claimed by back seat passenger

A woman has filed suit against the driver whom she alleges rear-ended the vehicle in which she was riding, causing the vehicle to strike a street sign.

Tanner Bryant alleges she was riding in the back seat of a vehicle Ryan Withers was driving south on state Route 111 on Sept. 3, 2012. 

"Mr. Withers slowed his vehicle to make a right hand turn onto Harrison Road when his vehicle was struck on the rear passenger side by defendant Rudolph Jackson's vehicle, forcing Withers' vehicle to go off the road and collide with a street sign," states the suit filed Oct. 30 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Bryant sustained jaw injuries, leading to a permanent popping condition and she suffered pain, the complaint says. She also incurred medical costs, the suit states.

At the time of the collision, Bryant was a minor. She turned 18 on Dec. 14, the complaint says.

She blames Jackson for causing the collision, saying he negligently rear-ended her vehicle, failed to keep a careful lookout, drove while intoxicated and drove too fast.

Bryant seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus other relief the court deems just. Attorney Gary K. Burger of Cantor and Burger in St. Louis will represent Bryant.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-1484.