Fairview Heights accident is subject of suit

A woman claiming she was hit by a driver pulling out of a McDonald's restaurant two years ago in Fairview Heights has filed suit.

Jennifer D. Romer was driving her 1996 Dodge Neon west on Illinois Route 159 approaching its intersection with Melinda Lane on May 3, 2007, when the incident occurred, according to the complaint she filed Jan. 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Patricia L. Vancouer was driving a 2004 Chevrolet van and entering Illinois Route 159 from the driveway of McDonald's when she struck Romer, the suit states.

Romer also is suing Vancouer's employer, Whatever It Takes Transmissions and Parts, because she was driving the company's vehicle.

Romer claims disability, disfigurement, pain, suffering and a loss of income, plus she incurred medical expenses.

Vancouer was negligent by failing to yield the right-of-way, by failing to yield the right-of-way when entering a highway from a private driveway, by failing to keep a proper lookout, by failing to use ordinary care to avoid a collision and by failing to use ordinary care for safety of others, according to the complaint.

In the two-count suit, Romer is seeking a judgment in excess of $100,000, plus costs.

Kevin Boyne of Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-0050.