Spinal injuries claimed in ESL accident

A St. Clair County woman has filed suit against the driver who she claims caused a collision after swerving over the center lane.

Robin M. Little claims she was driving her 2002 Kia Optima in the rightmost westbound lane in the 200 block of River Fork Drive in East St. Louis on Feb. 22 at about 8:06 a.m. when the collision occurred.

At the same time, defendant Antwon S. Buchanon was driving a 2000 Chrysler Concord in the left westbound lane when he swerved over the center line, entering her lane and striking her vehicle, according to the complaint filed May 2 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

At the time of the accident, Buchonon was driving a vehicle belonging to defendant Rachael Pembleton, the suit states.

Because of the collision, Little suffered injuries to her spine and shoulders, suffered great pain and mental anguish and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Buchanon negligently failed to keep a proper lookout; failed to reduce his speed, to stop or to swerve to avoid the collision; failed to keep the vehicle he was driving under proper control; and failed to drive at a reasonable speed, the complaint says. In addition, he drove without being lawfully licensed to operate a vehicle, Little alleges.

Pembleton negligently allowed Buchanon to drive her vehicle without first checking to ensure he was licensed to do so and failed to ensure her vehicle was in proper working order, according to the complaint.

In her two-count complaint, Little is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

She will be represented by Rhonda D. Fiss of The Law Office of Rhonda D. Fiss in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-222.