Swansea accident causes injuries, suit claims

A woman has filed suit against the driver who she claims struck her vehicle.

Chonda Hirons claims she was driving a 2008 Dodge Charger west on Frank Scott Parkway East approaching its intersection with North Illinois Street in Swansea on Nov. 13, 2011, when defendant Jennifer Tourville, who was driving in the parking lot of Winchester Plaza, struck Hirons’s vehicle as she attempted to make a left-hand turn out of the parking lot.

Because of the collision, Hirons suffered disability and disfigurement, experienced pain and suffering, incurred medical costs and lost her income, according to the complaint filed Nov. 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. She also lost her normal life, the suit states.

Hirons blames Tourville for causing the collision, saying she negligently failed to keep a proper lookout, attempted to turn left when it was not safe to do so, failed to yield the right-of-way, failed to keep her vehicle under proper control and failed to use ordinary care for Hirons’s safety.

In her complaint, Hirons is seeking actual damages of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Kevin Boyne of Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-630.