Driver sued in traffic merging collision

A Dorsey resident claims a Greenville man struck her vehicle while she was stopped in traffic, preparing to merge onto the interstate.

Dianne Turpen filed a lawsuit on May 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Nicholas Lampe of Greenville, alleging negligence in a November 2013 collision.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle headed southbound on Highway 157. The vehicle was stopped in traffic while preparing to merge onto Interstate 55/270 in Collinsville. The suit states that the defendant was heading in the same direction and struck the plaintiff’s car in the rear.

The plaintiff alleges Lampe failed to operate his vehicle safely, decrease his speed appropriately to avoid collision, exercise reasonable care for others’ safety, keep a proper lookout and swerve or stop to avoid impact.

Turpen argues that she sustained severe injuries to her shoulder, extremities, neck and back, requiring surgery and ongoing medical care.

Alleging pain, suffering and mental anguish; anxiety; lost wages and earning capacity; impairment and disfigurement, the plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $75,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs.

She is represented by Jerome Schlichter and Jacob Murov of Schlichter, Board & Denton in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 15-L-275