Legally blind pedestrian sues driver over Highland parking lot incident

A legally blind man is suing the driver he says hit him while walking through a Highland parking lot.

John Longworth filed a lawsuit against Janice Worstell March 15 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Longworth, who is legally blind, was walking through a parking lot in the 2600 block of Eagle Way Drive in Highland in July 2012, according to the complaint.

He says Worstell backed her 2004 Toyota Camry out of a parking space and hit him. Longworth says he received "severe and permanent" injuries.

Longworth accuses Worstell of negligence for allegedly failing to keep a proper lookout for pedestrians and failing to apply the brakes in order to avoid hitting him. He asks to be awarded more than $50,000 in damages for medical expenses, disfigurement, pain and suffering.

Attorney Sarah R. Noll with Shay & Associates in Springfield represents Longworth.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 13-L-441