Driver claims oncoming vehicle crossed center line in Route 3 accident

A woman claims she suffered neck, back, leg, knee, arm and foot injuries after a driver crossed the center lane and struck her vehicle.

Courtney Payne filed a lawsuit Aug. 19 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Professional Transportation and James Peveto.

In her complaint, Payne alleges she drove south on Illinois Route 3 in Monroe County on Sept. 5, 2011, at about 5 p.m. when Peveto, who was driving north on the same road, crossed the highway into its south bound lanes and struck Payne’s vehicle.

In addition to her injuries, Payne suffered pain and mental anguish, incurred medical costs and lost wages because of the collision, according to the complaint.

She blames Peveto for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to keep his vehicle under proper control, failed to drive on the right half of the road, drove too fast and failed to decrease his speed to avoid a collision.

In her two-count complaint, Payne seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Arthur W. Morris of Traughber and Morris in Columbia will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-431.