Route 161 accident is subject of suit

Sonji R. Palmer has filed suit against Fathiyyah A.H. Salahuddin, alleging she was injured after Salahuddin collided with her.

Palmer was driving east on Illinois Route 161 near its intersection with Old Lincoln Trail and Lebanon Avenue in Belleville on Feb. 6, 2007, when Salahuddin, who was driving west on the same road, collided with her, according to the complaint filed Jan. 23 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

"As plaintiff was approaching the intersection of Route 161 and Lebanon Avenue on a green light, Defendant pulled into Plaintiff's lane of traffic," the suit states.

Because of the collision, Palmer alleges she sustained permanent, progressive and disabling injuries and incurred medical expenses.

She also lost wages and her ability to work, labor and enjoy life has been impaired, according to the complaint.

Salahuddin was negligent by making an improper turn in front of Palmer, by failing to obey traffic signals, by failing to yield the right-of-way, by driving at an excessive rate of speed, by failing to keep a proper lookout and by failing to stop to avoid a collision, the suit states.

Palmer is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus other relief the court deems just.

She is represented by William K. Holland of Fox, Goldblatt and Singer in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0031.