Rear-end crash caused woman to give birth prematurely, suit says

An Illinois mother says a rear-end crash in Belleville caused her to give birth to her daughter prematurely.

Charmia M. Wren, individually and on behalf of her daughter, filed a lawsuit April 23 against Michael R. Buesking in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

In April 2010, Wren says she was driving her Nissan Murano east on North Belt West in Belleville. As she drove through the 6000 block, Wren says she was hit from behind by Buesking who was driving a Chrysler 300.

Wren alleges Buesking left the scene of the crash and was eventually pulled over by police. She claims the arresting officer suspected Buesking of being drunk and gave him a breath test, which allegedly showed Buesking to be have a blood alcohol concentration of .25.

At the time of the crash, Wren says she was 28-weeks pregnant and had to be taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital because she was having contractions and amniotic fluid leakage. Four days later Wren gave birth prematurely to her daughter -- an early delivery she contends was due to the trauma caused by the crash with Buesking.

Wren, on behalf of herself and her daughter, accuses Buesking of negligence and is asking for more than $100,000 in damages for medical expenses, loss of income and court costs.

She is represented by attorneys David M. Zevan, Kevin J. Davidson, Rachel L. Roman and Jean L. Maguire, of St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-207