Woman rear-ended on interstate sues

A woman has filed suit against the driver who she says rear-ended her, allegedly causing her to suffer neck, shoulder and low back injuries.

Carrie L. Brueggemann claims she was driving west on Interstate 64 near its intersection with Interstate 55/70 westbound in East St. Louis on Sept. 15, 2009, when Curtis R. Hill, who was also driving west, struck the rear of her vehicle. At the time of the collision, Hill was driving a vehicle for co-defendant R&B Schnitker Trucking.

Because of the collision, Brueggeman was made sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled; received injuries to the soft tissues of her cervical, shoulder and lumbar areas; and incurred medical costs, according to the complaint filed Oct. 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. In addition, she suffered disability, experienced pain and suffering and lost wages, the suit states.

Hill negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove in such a manner that he struck the rear of Brueggeman's vehicle, failed to properly apply his brakes, drove too fast and followed Brueggemann's vehicle too closely, the complaint says.

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

Thomas C. Rich and Jennifer L. Barbieri of Fairview Heights will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-538.