Wood River accident is subject of suit

A Madison County woman is suing the driver and the owner of a car that allegedly rear-ended her while she was driving in Wood River.

Rhonda Pettiford-Thompson filed a lawsuit Aug. 29 in Madison County Circuit Court against Cruz Gonzales and Cassy Gonzales-Young.

According to the complaint, Pettiford-Thompson was driving east on Edwardsville Road on Aug. 3. As she neared the intersection of Metzger, Pettiford-Thompson says she was hit from behind by a car driven by Gonzales. The driver had allegedly borrowed the car from Gonzales-Young.

Pettiford-Thompson says the crash caused serious injuries to her neck, shoulder and back. She contends Gonzales is to blame for allegedly causing the rear-end crash. Pettiford-Thompson says Gonzales-Young was also negligent for allowing her vehicle to be driven by someone she claims is an incompetent driver.

Pettiford-Thompson asks for more than $100,000 in damages for medical bills, loss of income and court fees. She is represented by attorneys Thomas C. Rich and Kristina D. Cooksey, of Fairview Heights.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-857