Lewis and Clark Community College sued over car accident

A woman has filed suit against a foundation at a community college, alleging one of its employees rear-ended her vehicle.

Mary Andeson claims she was driving a 1993 Honda Civic east on East Ninth Street near its intersection with Liberty Street in Alton on Jan. 6, 2009, when defendant Richard Hafertepe, who was driving a 1998 Ford Ranger for defendant Lewis and Clark Community College Foundation, struck the rear of her vehicle.

Because of the accident, Andeson sustained injuries to her back, shoulders, neck and head; suffered great pain and mental anguish; and experienced disability, according to the complaint filed July 22 in Madison County Circuit Court. She also lost her normal life and incurred medical expenses, the suit states.

She blames Hafertepe for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep the vehicle under proper control, failed to keep a proper lookout for other vehicles, failed to stop his vehicle to avoid a collision and failed to provide a proper signal to warn her of the impending collision. Hafertepe also negligently failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision and drove without safe brakes, the complaint says.

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

She will be represented by Michael P. Glisson of Williamson, Webster, Falb and Glisson in Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-768.