The driver and passenger in a 2000 Chevrolet Blazer say they were seriously injured after an employee of Bi-State Development Agency rear-ended them.
Lionel Thomas and Reba Godfrey filed a lawsuit July 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Bi-State Development Agency and Steven Brasfield.
Thomas says he was riding in the Blazer, which his wife, Godfrey, was driving, on July 9, 2008, at about 7:22 a.m.
Godfrey was making a right-hand turn from Camp Jackson Road through its intersection with Mississippi Avenue to head north in Cahokia at its intersection with Route 3 when the incident occurred, according to the complaint.
Suddenly, Godfrey stopped at the entrance to the intersection when Brasfield, who was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado behind Godfrey, collided with the Blazer, the suit states.
"This knocked the plaintiff's automobile forward a great distance and thereafter caused plaintiff's automobile to come to a sudden and violent stop, injuring plaintiff's person and damaging her vehicle," the complaint says.
Because of the accident, Thomas claims he received permanent and progressive injuries to his back, neck and pelvic region.
Godfrey injured her low back and neck, according to the complaint.
Both plaintiffs incurred disability, loss of a normal life, pain, suffering, medical expenses and lost wages, the suit states.
The plaintiffs blame Brasfield for failing to reduce his speed to avoid a collision, for driving too fast for road conditions, for failing to keep a proper lookout and for being inattentive.
In the two-count suit, Thomas and Godfrey are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.
Del A. Goldenhersh of Knapp, Ohl, Green and Marron in Edwardsville will be representing him.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-362.
Bi-State blamed in Cahokia rear-end accident
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