Driver failed to stop at flashing red light, suit claims

A St. Clair County man claims he suffered painful and permanent spinal injuries after a driver failed to stop at a traffic light, stiking his vehicle.

Louis Gerros filed a lawsuit Oct. 31 in Madison County Circuit Court against Norma Birchfield.

In his complaint, Gerros alleges he drove a 1991 General Motors Sonoma truck north on Fourth Street in St. Louis on April 17 at about 4:24 p.m. when he stopped at a flashing red light signal at an intersection with Washington Avenue. At the same time, Birchfield was driving a 1996 Chevrolet Silverado east on Washington when she failed to stop at the flashing red light, according to the complaint.

"Immediately following Defendant's failure to yield, Defendant struck the driver's side of Plaintiff's vehicle," the suit states.

In addition to his injuries, Gerros incurred medical costs of more than $27,000 and lost wages, the complaint says.

Gerros blames Birchfield for causing the collision, saying she negligently drove too fast, failed to keep her vehicle under proper control and failed to keep a proper lookout, among other negligent acts.

In his complaint, Gerros seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

K. Lindsay Rakers of The Cagle Law Firm in St. Louis will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-1119.