Collinsville Road accident results in injuries and suit

A woman has filed suit against the drivers who she claims caused a collision with a vehicle in which she was riding as a passenger.

Karen S. Arriola claims she was riding in a vehicle heading west on Collinsville Road at its intersection with Route 111 in Fairmont City on May 11 at about 8 a.m. when the collision occurred.

At the same time, defendant Dorothy M. Cato was driving on the same road when she ran a stop sign and hit a tractor trailer, according to the complaint filed Feb. 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. In turn, the tractor trailer swerved into the lane of traffic where Arriola was traveling, hitting the car in which she was riding, the suit states.

Because of the collision, Arriola became sick, sore, lame, disordered and disabled and suffered extensive injuries to her head, neck, back, body and limbs, the complaint says. In addition, she claims she incurred medical costs, suffered disability and experienced pain and suffering.

Cato negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to properly apply her brakes, drove too fast, failed to stop at a stop sign and drove without adequate brakes, according to the complaint.

Tennant negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove in such a manner as to allow his vehicle to come into Arriola's lane, failed to properly apply his brakes, drove too fast and drove without adequate brakes, the suit states.

In her three-count complaint, Arriola is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.

John H. Hustava of Collinsville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-72.