Parents sue towing company for children's injuries

A Fairview Heights mother and father are seeking more than $1 million in damages from Lincoln Trail Auto Body and its employee, Roland Lee Seibert, for injuries their five children sustained when they were involved in an auto accident the day after Christmas.

Shavaugn and John Cox III are seeking damages for their children, Aaliyah, Jasmine, John IV, Johnathan, and Jovaugn claiming they were hurt when a tow truck backed into the car in which they were passengers on Dec. 26, 2004. The car was driven by Lena Thompson of East St. Louis who is also listed as a plaintiff in the case.

Represented by Columbia attorneys Mark Scoggins and Clay St. Clair, the Cox family is seeking at least $1,050,000 in damages from Lincoln Trail and Seibert for injuries the children received and medical expenses the parents are liable for.

According to the complaint filed in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Thompson was driving her 1989 Chrysler New Yorker westbound on Old Lincoln Trail in Fairview Heights when a 2002 Dodge Ram tow truck driven by Seibert, and owned by Lincoln Trail Auto Body, backed out of its driveway, striking Thompson’s vehicle.

The Coxes claim Seibert failed to yield the right of way and sound a horn, drove too fast and failed to stop his tow truck when danger to others was imminent.

As a result of the alleged negligence, all five children suffered serious person injuries and all will be hindered and prevented from attending to their usual and customary affairs and duties, according to the complaint.

It also states the children suffered a great deal of pain and anguish and have become liable for large sums of money for medical care and services in an attempt to heal and cure their injuries.

Lena Thompson is seeking at least $100,000 in damages for injuries she claims she received when the tow truck hit her car.

05 L 146 (20th Circuit)