MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A passenger in a Fairview Heights auto accident is suing a man over injuries she says she sustained during a collision.

Cynthia L. Bateman filed a lawsuit April 13 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Rock N. Edwards.

Bateman says she was a passenger in a vehicle that Andrea D. Radford was driving south in the right turn lane of North Illinois Street near its westbound entrance ramp to Interstate 64 on July 5 at about 3:55 p.m. when the accident occurred.

Edwards, who was also driving south in the right turn lane of North Illinois Street, slammed into the rear of the vehicle in which Bateman was driving, according to the complaint.

Because of the accident, Bateman says she was thrown in the vehicle, sustained painful and permanent injuries and is hindered in the performance of her usual duties. She also lost money and incurred substantial medical costs, the complaint says.

Edwards failed to decrease his speed to avoid an accident, drove too fast for traffic conditions, failed to apply his brakes, failed to maintain a proper lookout and failed to keep his vehicle under control, according to the suit.

Bateman is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs.

Bruce A. Beeman of Wolter, Beeman and Lynch in Springfield will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-186.