'Potentially intoxicated' woman claims driver abandoned her on Route 143

A Madison County woman claims she was abandoned in the middle of a highway where she was struck by a vehicle, causing her to sustain brain damage and to become paralyzed.

Anna Chatham filed a lawsuit Dec. 20 in Madison County Circuit Court against James Hukill.

In her complaint, Chatham claims she was riding in a vehicle Hukill was driving on Illinois Route 143 in Alton on Dec. 24, 2009, when she and Hukill got into an argument. Suddenly, Hukill stopped the vehicle and ordered a "potentially intoxicated" Chatham to exit it, according to the complaint.

"That shortly after being abandoned on the highway, plaintiff was hit by a vehicle driven by Deborah Sievers," the suit states.

Because of the collision, Chatham sustained temporary and permanent injuries, suffered multiple fractures to her bones and sustained paralysis and brain damage, the complaint says.

She blames Hukill for causing her injuries, saying he negligently forced her to exit the vehicle, abandoned her on a road without crosswalks or sidewalks and failed to deliver her to a safe place.

In her complaint, Chatham seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Lanny Darr of Schrempf, Kelly, Napp and Darr in Alton will be representing her.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-1407.