MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

An ambulance company claims it was forced to pay workers compensation to one of its employees after an allegedly intoxicated driver caused an accident and injuries to the worker.

Abbott Ambulance Company claims one of its emergency medical technicians, Angelia M. LeGrand, was tending to an ill patient who was in his vehicle on the right shoulder of Illinois Route 15.

Suddenly, defendant Kimberly A. Clifford slammed into a police vehicle that was parked behind the ill patient's vehicle, causing the police car to rear-end the car in which LeGrand was working, according to the complaint filed Dec. 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the accident, LeGrand became sick, sore, lame and disabled; suffered severe pain, anguish and severe and debilitating injuries; and lost wages and her enjoyment of life, the suit states.

Abbott Ambulance Company has been forced to pay more than $50,000 in worker's compensation to LeGrand since the incident, the complaint says.

Abbott blames Clifford for driving while intoxicated, for driving too fast, for failing to keep a proper lookout, for failing to stop or swerve to avoid a collision, for failing to maintain control of her vehicle, for driving onto the shoulder of the highway and for failing to sound a warning of her oncoming approach.

In addition to Clifford, Abbott names Thomas E. Hadley as a defendant, saying he negligently allowed Clifford to borrow the car when he knew she was a habitual user of intoxicants.

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

John S. McCullough and David J. Deterding of HeplerBroom in St. Louis will be representing it.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-674.