MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A woman has filed suit against the driver who she says rear-ended her vehicle while she was stopped at a red light.

Amy Cook claims she was stopped in traffic at a red light as she was facing east on Broadway at its intersection with Washington Street in Highland on Dec. 17, 2007, when the incident occurred. Her daughter, Amber Cook, was riding as a passenger, according to the complaint filed Nov. 20 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Suddenly, defendant Andrew Plocher rear-ended the vehicle in which the Cooks were riding, the suit states.

At the time of the collision, Andrew Plocher was driving a vehicle defendants Michael and Barbara Plocher had lent to him, the complaint says.

Because of the collision, both Amy and Amber Cook suffered great pain and mental anguish and were unable to attend to their normal duties, the complaint says.

In addition, Amy Cook sustained injuries to her neck and back, lost income and incurred medical costs while her daughter suffered injuries to her neck, back, leg and knee, Amy Cook claims.

Andrew Plocher negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to see things that were visible, failed to keep the vehicle he was driving under control, failed to drive at a reasonable speed, failed to avoid a collision, failed to decrease his speed, failed to obey a traffic control device and followed a vehicle too closely, according to the complaint.

Michael and Barbara Plocher never should have let Andrew Plocher drive their vehicle because they should have known he was an incompetent driver, the suit states.

In the three-count suit, Amy Cook is seeking a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs.

Keith Short and Noel L. Smith Jr. of Hazlett and Short in Shiloh will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1270.