Injuries claimed in St. Louis accident

A St. Louis County woman and her mother have filed suit against an Edwardsville man and the Clayton company for which he worked after they say he struck them at 40 miles per hour.

Ruthe Johnson, James Johnson Jr. and Eula Burns claim Ruthe Johnson was driving in St. Louis east on Dressell Avenue on Sept. 3, 2008. Her mother, Burns, was riding in the vehicle with her when they approached an intersection at Goodfellow Boulevard, according to the complaint filed March 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

After stopping her vehicle at a stop sign governing the intersection, Ruthe Johnson proceeded to turn south onto Goodfellow Boulevard when defendant Dennis W. Benshermer, who was driving a truck owned by defendant All Type Compressor Service south on Goodfellow, failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the Johnsons' vehicle at 40 miles per hour, the suit states.

Because of the accident, Ruthe Johnson and Burns were injured and suffered physical pain and mental and emotional anguish, the complaint says. In addition, James Johnson Jr. incurred medical costs because of his wife's injuries, the suit says.

They blame Benshermer for causing the accident, saying he drove inattentively, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop his vehicle or slacken his speed when he saw the Johnsons' vehicle and allowed his vehicle to collide with the Johnsons.

In the three-count suit, the Johnsons and Burns are seeking actual damages of more than $75,000, pre-judgment interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.

Jeffrey J. Lowe and Jacob A. Flint of Carey, Danis and Lowe in St. Louis will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-135.