Woman crossing street in wheelchair claims injuries in collision

A woman says her face, head, chest and pelvis were seriously injured after a car struck her as she was crossing the street in a wheelchair.

Joanne Giofre filed a lawsuit May 20 in Madison County Circuit Court against Zachary J. Schaltenbrand.

Giofre claims she was crossing East Main Street at North Center Street in a crosswalk on May 31, 2008, when Schaltenbrand hit her with his vehicle.

As a result, Giofre suffered a fractured pelvis and a closed head injury, the complaint says. All of Giofre's injuries are serious, painful, disabling and permanent and will cause her disability, the suit states.

Schaltenbrand negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to yield the right-of-way to Giofre, violated a stop sign and failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision, Giofre claims.

In the two-count suit, Giofre is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000 and punitive damages of more than $50,000, plus costs.
Mark F. Haywood of the Law Office of Mark F. Haywood in St. Louis will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-518.