A St. Clair County woman injured on Route 158 in Columbia last year is suing the motorist who caused the accident claiming he drove under the influence of alcohol.
Elizabeth Courtney filed suit Dec. 21 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Joseph Ellner, as well as the owners of the Topshooters tavern in Columbia.
Courtney claims Ellner, westbound on Route 158, crossed over a concrete median and struck her eastbound vehicle. She also claims he drove his vehicle at an unreasonable rate of speed.
According to the suit, Courtney suffered permanent and disabling injuries to her head, right leg and foot and body as a whole. She also claims she has incurred medical expenses and has lost large sums of money by her inability to pursue her normal, gainful occupation.
Represented by Mary Mansfield Brauer of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer & Shevlin of Belleville, Courtney is seeking in excess of $650,000 in damages.
Other defendants include Topshooters owners Tim and Nicole Wheeler and John Rouse.
The suit claims the defendants negligently and carelessly provided alcohol to Ellner and allowed him to take control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated, knowing that "to do so would endanger others."
Topshooters and driver sued by injured woman
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