Driver crossed center line, woman claims in suit

A woman claims she was hit by a driver after the driver crossed the center of the road and entered her lane.

Lois Gordon Harper filed a lawsuit Sept. 17 in Madison County Circuit Court against Shannon R. Powell.

Harper claims she was driving south on 20th Street in Granite City on Oct. 18, 2007, at about 3:12 p.m. when Powell, who was driving north on 20th Street, drove into Harper's lane, causing a collision.

Because of the accident, Harper was made sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled; suffered extensive injuries to her head, neck, back, right hip and right forearm; and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint. In addition, she experienced pain and suffering, lost money and will suffer an impairment of her future earning capacity, the suit states.

She blames Powell for failing to keep a proper lookout, for failing to properly apply her brakes, for driving too fast, for failing to drive entirely within her lane, for driving on the wrong side of the road, for failing to properly display a turn signal and for driving a vehicle without adequate brakes.

Harper is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

John H. Hustava of Collinsville will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-986.