Crash victim sues ESL and cop over hasty chase

An East St. Louis police officer who last year chased the driver of a stolen 2003 Lexus LS430 is being sued by a woman whose 2000 Chevrolet Impala was side swiped by the fleeing driver's vehicle.

Thelmer Brooks and her passenger Larry Cox filed suit against officer Roy A. Mickens and the city on June 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. Seeking in excess of $200,000 in compensatory and punitive damages, Brooks and Cox claim head, neck, shoulders, back, torso, abdomen, arms, hands, legs, knees and feet injuries.

The incident occurred on June 8, 2006, at the intersection of Bond Avenue and South 33rd Street.

"...[P]olice officer Roy A. Mickens was in his vehicle hastily chasing the stolen 2003 Lexus...," the complaint states.

Brooks and Cox are represented by Rhonda D. Fiss of Belleville.

They claim Mickens breached his duty of care because he should have known that chasing the Lexus was unsafe and hazardous and exposed the plaintiffs to unreasonable risk of harm.

"That the said police chase was performed in contravention of the statutes and/or common law of the state of Illinois and/or the laws, regulations and ordinances of the county of St. Clair and/or the City of East St. Louis, and/or the internal policies and procedures of the East St. Louis police department," the complaint states.