Pre-term labor caused by O'Fallon accident, suit says

Three people, including a pregnant woman, claim they suffered injuries, including pre-term labor, after a driver failed to yield the right-of-way and struck their vehicle.

Eryn Eline, Sean Eline and Lucas Eline claim Sean Eline was driving a 2010 GMC Acadia eastbound on U.S. Highway 50 near its intersection with South Lincoln Avenue in O’Fallon on June 25, 2011, when defendant Zachary Licklider, who was driving a 2002 Ford Mustang west on U.S. Highway 50, attempted to turn south onto South Lincoln Avenue. In the midst of his turn, Licklider struck the Acadia in which the three Elines were riding, according to the complaint filed June 24 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the collision, Eryn Eline went into pre-term labor while Sean Eline suffered from a strained lumbar muscle. All three of the Elines were required to seek extensive medical consultation and treatment and experienced pain, anguish and physical suffering, the suit states.

The Elines blame Licklider for causing the collision, saying he negligently drove without keeping a sufficient lookout, failed to insure that the intersection was free of vehicles before turning, failed to yield the right-of-way before making a left-hand turn and failed to keep his vehicle under control at all times. He also negligently failed to slow or stop to avoid a collision, the complaint says.

In their complaint, the Elines seek a judgment of more than $150,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

Heather Wescoat Dabler of The Law Offices of Susan Parnell Wilson in Belleville will be representing them.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-314.