Woman claims driver failed to keep proper lookout

A woman has filed suit against the driver who she claims ran a stop light and struck the side of the car in which she and her children were riding.

Kathleen Miguel claims she was driving on South 74th Street in Belleville at its intersection with Foley Drive on Sept. 18 when Sheila Hunsicker, who was driving at the same intersection, failed to stop at a light and struck the side of her vehicle. At the time of the accident, Miguel's two minor children, Jaydn J. Miguel and Robert B. Miguel, were riding with her.

According to the complaint filed Nov. 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Miguel and her children were made sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled and incurred medical costs because of the accident. In addition, they suffered disability, experienced pain and suffering and lost money from a loss of wages, the suit states.

Kathleen Miguel also suffered head, neck and back injuries, while Jaydn Miguel suffered neck and back injuries and Robert Miguel suffered neck, back and head injuries, including a concussion, the complaint says.

Miguel blames Hunsicker for failing to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles, for driving in such a manner that she struck the side of Miguel's vehicle, for failing to properly apply her brakes, for driving too fast, for failing to stop at a light and for failing to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.

In the four-count suit, Miguel is seeking a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs.

She will be represented by Thomas C. Rich and Jennifer L. Barbieri of Fairview Heights.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-597.