Parking lot accident in Swansea results in suit

A woman and her husband claim a driver backed into the woman while he was attempting to leave a parking lot.

Amanda M. and Nathan Northway filed a lawsuit July 27 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Charles G. Miner.

The Northways claim Amanda Northway was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier directly behind Miner's 1999 Dodge Durango as he was pulling out of Huck's Food and Fuel parking lot located at the intersection of North Illinois Street and Frank Scott Parkway in Swansea.

"That at that time and place, the Defendant began to leave the parking lot and traveled onto the roadway, Frank Scott Parkway, only to stop, place his car in reverse, and collide with the Plaintiff's vehicle causing the back end of the Defendant's vehicle to collide with the front end of the vehicle operated by the Plaintiff," the suit states.

Because of the accident, Amanda Northway sustained injuries and property damage and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint.

In addition, Nathan Norway has lost his wife's love, services, companionship, help and mutual activity, the complaint says.

The Northways blame Miner for failing to keep a proper lookout, for driving too fast and for failing to decrease his speed to avoid a collision.

In the two-count suit, the Northways are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Jeffrey S. Hummel of Belleville will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-394.