QuikTrip cashier claims negligent driver failed to avoid crashing into building

A Granite City QuikTrip cashier has filed suit against a driver she claims accelerated through a gas station wall and struck the counter in front of her.

Olga L. Morales claims she was working at a store located at 3128 Nameoki Rd. on April 3, 2009, at about 7:16 a.m. when the incident occurred.

"After pulling into the parking lot, the motor vehicle Samantha Barzoff was driving accelerated, drove through the front entrance of the QuikTrip and struck the front counter," the suit filed March 16 in Madison County Circuit Court states. "As the result of the motor vehicle striking the front counter, a safe fell on Plaintiff's leg, ankle and foot causing the injuries herein specified."

According to the complaint, Morales suffered injuries to her leg, ankle and foot; incurred medical costs; suffered great pain and mental anguish; lost income; and has been unable to perform her usual life duties because of the incident.

Samantha Barzoff negligently failed to look and see obviously visible buildings, including the QuikTrip; failed to keep the vehicle she was driving under control; failed to stop her vehicle to avoid colliding with the QuikTrip building; failed to use every precaution to avoid a collision with the building; and failed to decrease her speed to avoid a collision, the complaint says.

Morales also names Sandra and Charles Barzoff as defendants, saying they negligently entrusted their vehicle to Samantha Barzoff, who they knew would drive the vehicle in a careless, reckless or incompetent manner.

In her two-count complaint, Morales is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

She will be represented by Keith Short and Noel L. Smith Jr. of Hazlett and Short in Shiloh.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-289.