Woman falls in exposed culvert while walking dog, sues local governments

Carolyn Foran of Belleville claims she stepped into a hole and fell into an exposed culvert while walking her dog on Lake Ridge Drive last year.

Foran, who fractured her right ankle as a result, is suing the city of Belleville, St. Clair County, Belleville Township Sewer District and Bill Wuebble, doing business as Oak Park Homes, Inc.

She claims that at the time of the incident July 22, 2006, the road was blocked off for paving, forcing her to walk along side of the road where there was high grass.

According to the suit filed July 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, the defendants are negligent for failing to mow the grass around the exposed culvert.

She also claims the defendants failed to warn her and failed to properly design the culvert so it would not be exposed.

Foran, represented by Kirk A. Caponi of Williams, Caponi & Associates, is seeking in excess of $200,000 in damages.