Passenger sues drivers who failed to yield at stop sign

A woman has filed suit against the driver whom she alleges caused her injuries after failing to yield at a stop sign.

According to the complaint filed Dec. 30, 2014, in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Paige Vielweber was riding in a vehicle driven by defendant Danielle Matusak on July 18, 2012. Matusak was driving east on Sand Rock Road near South Main in Smithton when defendant Michael Thompson, who was driving on South Main, failed to yield at a stop sign, causing a collision.

Because of the collision, Vielweber experienced pain and suffering, endured disability and disfigurement and incurred medical costs, the suit states. She also lost income and lost her normal life, the complaint says. At the time of the collision, Vielweber was a minor.

In her complaint, Vielweber blames the defendants for causing the collision, saying they negligently failed to drive with adequate brakes, failed to inspect their vehicles to determine whether the brakes were working, failed to yield the right-of-way and disobeyed a stop sign.

Vielweber seeks a judgment of more than $200,000, plus reimbursement of medical costs, an order compelling defendant State Farm to arbitrate this claim as an under-insured motorist claim and other relief the court deems just.

Attorney Daniel K. Juncker of Belleville will represent Vielweber.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-828.