Handcuffed passenger sues driver who struck police cruiser

A driver who struck an occupied police vehicle while driving through an intersection has been sued by the passenger sitting handcuffed in the back of the cruiser.

Alisha D. Burke filed a lawsuit May 8 in Madison County Circuit Court against Mark Robinson.

In her complaint, Burke was riding in handcuffs in the backseat of a 2013 Ford Taurus, which was being operated by Alton police officer Stephen W. January on Sept. 9. January stopped at the intersection of Pearl Street and Silver Street in Alton when Robinson, who was driving a 2005 Ford 500 on Pearl Street, collided with Robinson’s vehicle, the suit states.

Because of the collision, Burke suffered severe and permanent injuries, endured disability and disfigurement and sustained great physical pain and mental anguish, the suit states. She also lost earnings and incurred medical costs, the complaint says.

Burke blames Robinson for causing the collision, alleging he negligently failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to observe Burke’s vehicle, failed to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles, drove into January’s stopped vehicle and failed to drive entirely within his own lane.

Burke seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Stephen C. Buser of the Law Office of Stephen C. Buser in Columbia will represent Burke.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-681.