Passengers claim injury in Sauget accident

Three St. Clair County residents have filed suit against the driver who they claim struck the vehicle in which they were riding.

Catherine M. Prater, Richard L. Stewart and Jessica E. Hubbard claim they were riding in a 2008 Toyota Camry Stewart was driving on Mississippi Avenue in Sauget on May 22 when defendant Fee F. Habtes, who was driving a 2002 BMW, rear-ended the Camry.

Because of the collision, the plaintiffs sustained temporary and permanent injuries, incurred medical costs and were prevented from attending to their normal duties, according to the complaint filed Aug. 1 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Habtes negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, drove too fast, failed to exercise proper care and failed to brake, the suit states.

In their three-count complaint, the plaintiffs are seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs.

They will be represented by attorneys from Schrempf, Kelly, Napp and Darr.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-430.