Passenger sues over injuries in '07 accident

The passenger in a vehicle has filed suit against the automobile's driver, alleging she sustained a concussion after the driver failed to yield the right-of-way at a stop sign.

Mary E. Angel claims she was riding in a vehicle defendant Clinton L. West was driving on East Second Street near its intersection with South Lincoln on Dec. 5, 2007, in Belleville when he failed to obey a stop sign, causing defendant Mitchell Tribout, who was driving south on South Lincoln, to crash into the passenger side of West's vehicle where Angel was sitting.

Because of the collision, Angel sustained great physical injuries, including a concussion and complex facial lacerations requiring multiple surgeries; incurred headaches from the time of the collision until now; suffered damages to her entire nervous system, which has been severely shocked and deranged; and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, according to the complaint filed April 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. In addition, Angel's ability to work and to labor has been greatly impaired and diminished and she incurred medical costs, the suit states.

West negligently drove too fast, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision, failed to sound warning of his approach, failed to yield the right-of-way to Angel's vehicle and failed to obey the stop sign, the complaint says.

Angel also blames Tribout for causing the collision, saying he drove too fast, failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to stop or swerve to avoid a collision and failed to give any warning of his impending approach.

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

Sheldon Weinstein of Cofman Townsley in Clayton, Mo. will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-212.