SUV accident suit awaits arbitration

Patricia Roach filed a personal injury suit against Stephen Gavaza alleging he drove his SUV into a vehicle in which she was a passenger.

According to the suit filed Oct. 9 in Madison County, Roach was a passenger in a vehicle operated by Tracy McGuire on Oct. 20, 2007. The vehicle was traveling east on Dow Road in Mississippi Township when Gavaza exited a church parking lot and collided with them, the suit claims.

Roach claims Gavaza negligently and carelessly failed to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles on the roadway, failed to exercise proper control over his vehicle and failed to properly brake his vehicle.

Represented by Lanny Darr of Alton, Roach claims the collision caused her to sustain temporary and permanent injuries that caused doctor and hospital expenses.

She is seeking a judgment in excess of $15,000, but less than $50,000.

The case is awaiting mandatory arbitration.